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UNITED STATES OF AMEEICA. 



V 



A— 



THE 



SHADOWY LAND, 



AND OTHER POEMS, 



(INCLUDING THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL,) 



BY 



REV. GURDON HU.^TINGTON, A. M. 




NEW YORK: 

JAMES MILLER, 554 BROADWAY. 

1861. 



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Entered according to act of Concrrecs, in the year 1860, 

By GURDON HUNTINGTON, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 

District of New York. 



2^ 6 I ^l 



CONTENTS. 



The Shadowy Land : A brief Epic. 

Dignity and Triumphs of Moral and Intellectual 
Cultivation. 

Providence. 

Poem : Delivered at the Huntington Festival. 

Extracts from a Poetical Address delivered at Hamil- 
ton College. 

Romance of the Indian Country, &c. 

The Story of Geraldine Kurner. 

The Mountains and the Sky. 

Love's Over-ruling Decrees. 

Baptism. 

Confirmation. 

The Holy Eucharist. 

ScHROON Lake. 

The Glory of Art. 

Washington at the Battle of Princeton. 

Love and Wedlock. 



CONTENTS. 



Musings at Evening's Hours. 

Hymn to the Savior. 

The Church. 

Twilight Thoughts of Sorrow. 

Creation. 

Lines in Memory of Miss Lucy M. Luff. 

White-Lake Creek. 

The Divine Benignity. 

To One Betrothed. 

Love and Study. 

The Rural Burial-Ground. 

The Watery World. 

Thoughts of the Departing Saint. 

Tuxedo Lake : A Vision on its Shores. 

The Cathedral Service. 

The Axeman in the Deep Forest. 

Contented Thoughts of Home. 

The Day of Christ's Nativity. 

Ode for Fourth of July. 

The Court of Love. 

The Mohawk River. 

New York in Spring. 

Song of the Siberian Exile. 

Ruin at Goldau. 

The Butterfly in the City. 

The Virtuous Pilgrims. 



CONTENTS. 



White Lake, Sullivan Co., N. Y. 

Eugenia. 

Spring : A Song for Music. 

" She goeth unto the Grave to weep there." 

The Conditions op True, Enduring Freedom. 

Alliance of Virtue and Freedom : A Song. — {For which 
fine music was composed hy Mr. Joseph Morton, of Brook- 
lyn, L. I.) 

Angelica : An Acrostic. 

The Humming-Bird. 

The Foreign Land. 

Elizabeth : An Acrostic. 

Lines to L. G. 

The Requiem of the Beautiful. 

Grave of the Rural Pastor. 

Whom the Gods Love, &c. 

Samuel, the Child-Prophet. 

The Dwelling-Places of Happiness. 

A Tribute, &c. 

Dedicatory Lines in an Album. 

Woman's Part in Life. 

Pilgrimage upon a Cloud : A Sketch. 

To AN Eagle Soaring. 

Fragment of Lines, &c. 



The Guests of Brazil : A Tragedy. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 



Far, far beneath the realms of man and day, 

Whither th' adventurous wing of bird ne'er roamed, 

Nor prowled the cavern seeking wolf, a clime 

Mysterious, darkling, ghostly and sublime. 

Spreads vast through regions measureless as air. 

Save when a spirit, from its mortal thrall 

Cut loose by the sharp scythe of death, flits down 

The earnest of its lasting fate to taste. 

At the dread portals of that kingdom knocks 

No human visitor from earthly scenes. 

At times some angel on consoling wing, 

Or imp with news of wickedness besmeared, 

Invades the dim retirement of those realms. 

The dead here sit in mystic conclave, wrapt 

In the great themes eternity unfolds. 

Seamed by an awful chasm, (misty, dark, 

And haunted by uncouth and hateful shapes,) 

The kingdom of the dead is formed in two. 

The ONE the Paradise where souls redeemed, 

Lapped in Elysian hopes, await the hour 

When Christ their ' spiritual bodies' shall command : 



10 THESHADOWYLAND. 

The OTHER, a vast realm of cloud and shade, 
Oft racked by raging tempests, and uptorn 
By fierce and flaming earthquakes, that return 
The horrid signs which meteors kindle oft 
In th' wild and terrible sky. 

Here dwell the bad : 
Yea, all whom God upon his snowy page 
Hath not inscribed in characters of blood 
Once shed upon the holy rood for man, 
Here the Millenium's close abide. Some lost 
In deepest grief, their earthly negligence 
Vainly deplore ; and some outrival Job 
In heaping curses on their day of birth, 
But court the oblivion of grim death in vain. 
Sometimes, when o'er their deeds of wrong they sigh, 
Will virtuous recollections shoot their gleams 
Across the spirit's gloom, as stars athwart 
The waste of midnight seas, or as amid 
The various discords that high winds arouse 
Some lone ^olian string swells rich and sweet : 
But, tortured by the thought of what they 've lost, 
They there repent in unavailing grief 
The sins for which they bartered heaven and peace. 
And murderers there with haggard eyes explore 
The dark and poisonous pits of hell, if there 
Perchance they may extinguish life ; while some 
Seeking the flaming caves where lower fires 
Flash with prophetic glare, down plunge 
Amid the fiery vortex — but alas ! they meet 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 11 

Not death, but agony increased : The soul 

Not death's barbed shafts can pierce, but harmless strike, 

As moonlight's lances splinter on the crags 

Of the Antarctic coast of ice. And some 

With fierce and boisterous insult storm the courts 

Where Death, the phantom, sits in royal state. 

Surrounded by his peers — in this fond hope. 

That he, incensed by outrage on his pride. 

In these the kingdoms darkened by his shade, 

May bid some shadowy page beside his throne. 

His fiat rankling with unusual fire, 

To wing against their souls ; so death 

And sweet oblivion o'er the conscience' wounds 

May spread their liniment and balm. But Death, 

Well knowing there his power but formal, lends 

Indifferent audience to their storms ; for, well 

Remembereth he when uselessly he shot 

His once resistless darts 'gainst Hell's new guests 

Whose subtle and immortal life, unscorched. 

Laughed him to scorn ; so springs the bolt 

Hot with appalling ruin to the forms 

Of grosser matter, while the wond'rous air 

Harmless it glides through to its native earth. 

Here dwell the warriors of olden time. 

Who waged for empire, gold or glory, wars 

That rent the heart of nations ; now below 

Upon these dim and sterile plains they ride 

Their wild, invulnerable spirit steeds,* 

* Note. — This may be interpreted as significant of unreined, stormy 
passions. 



12 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Their forces marshaling in grand array. 

Thus in the excitements of mock war, with all 

The plumed and glittering pomp of martial show, 

They seek to drown their dread of God's great day 

When Christ shall sit in judgment. Swift they forge, 

Beyond our best despatch of skill, such dread, 

Dark reservoirs of thunders as would shock 

Even Gibraltar's rocks ; (though Spain and France 

Their batteries vainly ope'd against its heights.) 

And Hell's vast echoing vault hath witnessed oft 

The cannonade of their tremendous fire 

Whose roar oft smote the ranks of timid souls 

As though that lower world were rent in twain. 

The fierce, unconquered hosts, though beaten down 

And for a moment vexed with pain that sprang 

From disarrangement of their spiritual frames 

Or mortification of their fall, renew 

The exciting turbulence of war till night 

(For night, too, there dominion claims) spreads out 

Her raven wings upon the obscure ; as Hell 

With all the gloomy phantoms of her clime 

Followed on Death bestriding his pale steed, 

As in the Apocalypse told. 

And e'en the Prince 
Of lowest hell upon occasions grand 
Of vast display, hath shown his lofty mien 
Among the stateliest leaders of their ranks, 
Gloomy, but lit at times with daring thoughts : 
With awe and wonder they behold his form 



THESHADOWYLAND, 13 

Like some tall peak* with dark and flashing clouds 

Most fearfully becrowned ; but dare not they 

To question in that realm his right or power : 

And silence, like the desert's in a calm, 

Stilled the vast hosts for moments while he looked.f 

The King of Terrors, too, beholds their sheen, 

And smiles enwreathe the pallid cheeks of Death. 

They were the minions of his pride, and erst 

Upon the Earth did consecrate the world 

To be the altar of his bloody rites, 

And often blotted out the host of heaven 

With the great smoke of costly sacrifice. 

But other scenes than these engage the guests 

Of Hell's dark empire. On the mystic sea 

Boiling with fiery gleams from fearful depths 

And lashed anon by tempests, some prefer 

To guide the adventurous keel : The distant isles. 

The dim and lonely isles, amid the gulfs 

They seek ; but peace and beauty there 

No flowery, vine wreathed paradise bedeck. 

Sometimes the dim and watery world is lit 

By war's most awful splendors, rolling peals 

Far down the echoing shores ; while clash on clash. 

And shouting voices, and the reedy blast 

Of victory's trumpet-song proclaim the deeds 

Which seek to drown the fear of wrath to come. 

* " Like Teueritfe he stood." — Milton. 

t '*' His look drew audience and attention still as night, or summer's 
noontide air." — Milton. 



14 THESHADOWYLAND. 

But some consume their hours in building high 

Within some superstructure rich and grand 

The organ's pile ;* the mechanism nice 

They crown with numerous banks of shining keys 

Wrought of most beauteous stone and pearl. 

All instruments of curious voice, all tones 

E'er known on earth, the lovely, soft, the loud ; 

The reedy trumpet, brilliant cornet, rich 

Peculiar hautboy and the sweet, clear stops, 

The flute, the diapason stop'd, and all 

That e'er their changes rang upon the ear 

Of some inspired organist in dreams 

In aftertimes upon the favored earth, 

Here in their glorious instruments consort 

And e'en the heavy ear of Hell delight. 

Though wakening in her guests the torturing thought 

Of joys and spiritual harmonies e'er lost. 

Here in strange fervor sit th' illustrious ones 

Who gave their life to music, but forgot 

Their strains to sweeten with devotion's breath, 

Or sacrificed the glorious bursts of song 

To vain, delusive gods. With gushes rich 

And movements light and airy they attempt 

The shadows of their spirits to divert ; 

But ever and anon their music glides 

To the ^olian mode ; and sombre dreads 

With a groaning bass, loud tremble in their strains. 

* Note. — In describing things in another world, a seeming anachronism 
may be thought of less account; as invention there may be supposed to 
have anticipated mortal skill. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 15 



On a grand platform of imposing rocks 

With th' wild, flashing skies o'erhead, (a fit 

And striking theatre for scenes like theirs ;) 

Else in a gorgeous temple of the Muse, 

Some in majestic tragedy absorbed 

The hearts of thousands thrill ; but there depict 

Not fancied sorrows only, but pour forth 

Their own souls' bitterness like lava streams : 

Their wretchedness the garden of the mind 

Keeps seared and desolate indeed. And there. 

In the proud triumph of his godlike state, 

Sculptured of massive gold, with gem-lit lyre. 

His incense burning from the poet's heart, 

Apollo sunlike reigns, and sheds a light 

Which would cheer e'en those scenes of Hell, did not 

The bard's fair image of lost peace and bliss, 

The conscience-stricken soul torment ; and if 

The taste and sensibility refined 

Did not compel the heart to feel more keen 

The forfeiture of high and glad awards 

At Heaven's great day to be declared and sealed. 

At certain times deemed fit, some (part in slight 

Of God the fountain of all light, and part 

In laud of poetry's fire,) processions grand 

Marshaled in Phoebus' name. 

The Indian there. 
Who with wild war song by the Mohawk danced, 
And bent his vengeful bow with murderous eye 
To pierce e'en innocence' young heart, 



16 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Roams restlessly with angry glance ; of wrong 

There self-admonished still, he cries aloud 

And deprecates the wrath of righteous Heaven ; 

Now the Great Spirit he sublimely calls ; 

And now the Prince of darkness worshippeth, 

Dreading the serpents' fangs. On spirit steeds, 

(Conjured, I fear, by strange, infernal charms 

From the weird deeps of shadowy forms,) 

He, mounted, rushes like a direful star 

That bursts in winter's ice-clear heavens 

And makes the traveler start. But he in vain 

Explores the dim and desolate climes that stretch 

Afar from Hell's metropolis, to find 

The beauteous hunting grounds his prophets dreamed 

Awaited glory's sous beyond the grave. 

Nor, wild and beautiful before him springs 

The deer or antelope inviting chase ; 

But gloomy solitude in grandeur reigns ; 

Save when some fiend escaped from darkest hell, 

Or, flying thither from the earth, sails 'cross 

With hideous, outstretched wings, his startled eye. 

And he, upon whose warlike path the moon 

Of Moslem banners shed victorious light, 

Nor boasted other wings wherewith to scale 

Heaven's high and difficult battlements 

Than martial glory's sanguinary plumes , 

Here (later), in this joyless waste, pursued 

The hope in vain of soft, elysian homes, 

Where dark-eyed beauty beckoned to her bowers 

O'erflowed with dewy odors, and with songs, 



THESHADOWYLAND. 17 

And the air of love's inebriating power. 
Loud on Arabia's prophet son he calls, 
But from his chief no voice his ear addressed 
That summoned him to climes of rosy bliss. 

Here, too, the poor deceived wretch who 'd knelt 

'Neath the rich vault of Jupiter's sculptured fane, 

Wandered expectant of the sombre stream 

And Charon's ready barge : Nor met his eye 

The awful seat of Rhadamanthus, joined 

With Minos and iEacus, trio dread, 

Before whose throne sublime he, quaking, thought 

That Fate's commands would shortly hurry him, 

His earth-born dreams dissolved to nothingness. 

In such employment as their taste or faith 

Did prompt to, these unnumbered souls 

Engaged through Hades' weird and wide extent 

In its unhappy half. But horrid War 

Upraised the banner of their chief delight ; 

To them the fairest cloud that flushed the sky 

Waved o'er his marching hosts ; his trumpet call 

Their richest music, and his clashing hour 

Dear to their guilty souls, (though thus they sowed 

A harvest of vexatious ills.) This noticing 

The Prince of Lowest Hell, who sometimes cast 

His chill, dread shadow o'er those awful climes, 

Devised a scheme to yoke the ardent march 

Of their unreined ambition to a cause 

He deemed well worthy of their zeal : So when 

Unnumbered hosts were blackening the plain. 



18 THESHADOWYLAND. 

And radiating towards the portals grand 

Of Hades' loftiest temple, where the Muse 

O'er tragic Art presiding reigned in light, 

Flooded with music and the rites profane 

Of her impassioned votaries, he took. 

Apart, his stately and attractive way. 

His dark and mighty wings, whereon the gleams 

Of lurid purple shone 'mid th' dark, (as shone 

Some beams of former glory in his mind,) 

And seemed reflections from his own bad realm — 

His wings were furled. With proud and lordly gait. 

And as in meditation lost, he moved, 

And fixed every eye both near and far. 

And elsewhere mid the crowd there seemed to rise 

Forms such as seldom moved o'er Hades' plains 

Towards her strange festivals and the portals rich 

Of her unconsecrated fanes. And high arose 

The sumptuous structure o'er the thickening crowds. 

The sombre clouds of Hell some reckless bolts 

Upon its towers had cast ; but wonder there 

Still dwelt on glorious sculptures : Ajax loomed 

Among them bold and flung defiance stern 

Up towards the sparkling skies : Apollo, too, 

Above Remorse, and divers forms of woe. 

In marble majesty arose j and triumph's calm 

Seemed shining 'round his brow.* And there, 

With chaste, peculiar dignity and force, 

* Intended as significant of an idea which they wished to be found true 
and to represent, to wit : that the occupations of Art were a b;Jm for their 
remorse and fears. 



THESHADOWYLAND. 19 

Prometheus chained upon the cruel rock, 

A lofty, firm resistance seemed to express 

Towards the high throne of Jove ; their own sad case 

Of laurelless rebellion they feigned typed 

By his grand independence and the woe 

That stormlike beat upon his heart benign. 

With stately step the fiend moved ; noticing 

Nor architecture's grandeur nor the stream 

Of living shapes in wonder wrapt that swept 

Swift towards the several portals of the pile. 

The Sovereign of Hell his way august 

Kept towards the broadest gates. Now music's swell 

Harmonious and passionate assailed 

His ear, advancing ; and th' excited burst 

Of admiration told that feeling's life 

Was beating there with no uncertain pulse ; 

A welcome thought ! the ruffled seas that flash 

The sunbeams fitfully are early made 

The minions of the gale, though darkening 

The brilliant hour in which the wavelets joyed 

And rolling to another point the swell 

Of the impetuous waves. 

Now Satan reached 
The interior of that mighty hall and woke 
A thrilling murmur through the crowd immense ; 
And they who held the highest stations there 
The throne pre-eminent did proffer him, 
And welcomed his compeers who reached in time 



20 THBSHADOWYLAND. 



Scarcely diverse the rostrum of the place. 

And knowing well the fervent public wish 

That he the orator would deign to play, 

Now that so vast an audience convened 

The graceful temple of the muse adorned, 

The chieftain of the day could not conceal 

The expression of this general hope, when he 

The attention of the haughty Prince had called 

To Arts' allurements in the sculptured shafts 

And golden statues on which flushed the lights 

Of sacrificial lamps, the pictured roof 

With festive beauty decked and classic scenes 

Of chastest elegance and force. Now breathless stood 

In expectation eager all that crowd, 

Admiring Satan's ' lofty, godlike' port, 

(Such were the compliments they whispered 'round,) 

And wondering if those lips whose voice had stirred 

The living seas of heaven's audience-floors 

To heave with billowy emotions, now 

Would deign with spirits from an earthly mould 

To hold a converse, and unveil before 

The eyes that once were mortal those deep shades 

In his heaven-born, though fallen mind. Not long 

This wonder reigned ; for, with a glance around 

Upon the vast assembly Satan stood 

In frowning majesty, and thus began. 

In tones like those which down the valleys roll, 

When threatening storms the mountain summits crown : 

Spirits immortal ! (doubtless unto such 

My words are flying ;) rather should I say 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 21 

Divinities ! and sons of heaven's bright light, 

Whose godlike powers these glorious sculptures prove, 

While Music's thoughtful and impassioned flow, 

And th' high achievement of the gifted bard, 

(The poet's grand and spiritual parthenon 

Pillared with bright strong characters, and rich 

With th' glows of never fading thoughts and zeal 

Of noble aspirations, quenchless, grand,) 

While these do homage to your seraph gifts 

And breathe forth prophecies of fame and power. 

Nor on the glorious fields of War hath Fame 

E'er gazed on deeds where military art 

And valor fixed with such a thrilling spell 

The eyes of every breathing soul which saw. 

Not Death, 't is true, and his dark, sunless tent. 

Shut from the peals of glory's triumph song. 

Await the sons of Mars below, but pain. 

And weakness, and disgrace, more keen than throb 

In th' quivering nerves of death struck men. 

This high enthusiasm that would run to w^aste 

Did not these manly occupations claim your thoughts, 

Did not the altars of the God of Song 

A rich, rare sacrifice demand, the choice 

And ravishing outpourings of the soul ; and gifts 

(More radiant than the pearl with mimic heaven) 

Shaped by imagination's wizard touch 

To forms that smile with never fading grace. 

Wearing the lineaments of warm, high souls, 

T' enchant the cultivated mind fore'er ; 

This high enthusiasm should an object know 



22 THESHADOWYLAND. 

That would its bolder energies become, 

An enterprise of vast and glorious scope, • 

Such as may on th' historic tablet grave 

Indelible lines — the words of deathless fame ; 

Deeds summoning Heaven itself to lend the gaze 

Of all its myriads to the daring great, 

The swell of its high anthem checking quick 

With th' thrill of mute astonishment. 

Nor need I urge you that such deed should wear 

A character which Heaven with no pleased eye 

Would from its sapphire battlements behold ; 

Rememb'ring how from your free, happy state. 

From 'mid the blush of nectarous fruits, and flow 

Of festal wine, and Woman's song of love, 

And the intoxicating thrills that woke 

In Beauty's languishing but burning clasp. 

Ye were down hurled by envious tides of wrath 

From God's dire reservoirs of flood and fire : 

No more in this dim spiritual state 

Th' extatic pulse of appetite to feel. 

The melting ravishment of sunkissed fruits 

Which break with ripeness at their rosiest flush ; 

The raptures of true love no more to feel 

Their magic lightnings shooting through the veins 

And making Cytheraia seem indeed 

Radiant with brilliancy and smiles divine ; 

No more from lips of loveliness to drink 

Pleasures transporting as the feasts of heaven ; 

In Beauty's dark eyes never more to gaze 

As in the lighted caves of sorcery ; 



THESHADOWYLAND. 23 



No more the weary, feverish brow to lay 

(Aflection's privilege) upon her breasts, 

Which seemed the snowy tents that truth and love 

In that sweet paradise had pitched, wherein 

To dwell beside each other evermore. 

Once free in body as in mind, with power 

Alike to march where'er the unpanting sun 

The brightness from his heavenly pathway cast, 

Whether upon the sky, familiar rocks, or where 

In sweet low vallies Beauty spread her couch 

By the flowery verge of chanting rivulets ; 

Or on the face of that grand solitude, 

The ocean world ; yea, in the rich, dark mine, 

The museum of Nature, where she shows. 

By curious chemistry preserved, the wrecks 

Of years forgotten — forms organic, tombs. 

And sculptured implements and glittering spoils. 

Once free 'mid these to rove, and treat 

The excitement loving heart with Protean truth, 

Down were ye whelmed and trampled to this clime 

Which joy scarce visits with the stir 

Of his unpoisoned breath in many an age. 

To you whose restless and immortal minds 

Explore e'en to the Arcana of these skies, 

I need not utter as a thing unknown 

That not remote from this your province dim 

There lies spread out upon the abyss of night, 

Securely resting o'er the pits of hell, 

A land which, like some fervid soil which reeks 

In th' fragrant wealth of fruits and wines 



24 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Above the caverns of volcanic fire, 

Is well adapted to delightsome life 

As is a regal hall for banqueting, 

Or as the branches of the eager nerves 

Are fitted for the play of feeling's fire, 

Or Woman's heart for the riot of Love's power. 

Perchance, the favorites of Heaven dispersed, 

Ye may its goodly amplitude assume 

And fortify with cunning art your seat. 

For, they who now its halcyon climes possess 

Do boast Elysium is everywhere. 

And that the Mind its golden gates can ope 

E'en 'mid the blackest fumes of Hell, and breathe 

E'en there the blandness of soft Eden's air. 

If so, complaint they surely should not raise. 

If you their summery paradise should seize. 

Out emptying in the horrid chasms all 

Within its precincts found : or if, perchance. 

Not gaining entrance there within, your bolts 

Winged with destructive vengeance, (not 'gainst them, 

But rather 'gainst the Architect who raised 

The pillars of their shadowy domain,) 

Should shatter down into the gulfs below 

Its huge and rocky buttresslike supports ; 

Their plunge amid the vortex fierce beneath 

Of their assertion proud the truth would test. 

Ye all remember how, in former times, 

Ye did your skill and courage tax to bridge 

Across the awful chasms which divide 

This darker Hades from the bright abode 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 25 

Which, curtained with soft skies and rosy clouds, 

Slumbers embosomed o'er the realms of Fire, 

Of darkness and of horror — like a gem 

Sparkling all stainless on the gory hand 

Of princely warrior fallen by the sword, 

Amid the wreck and ashes of his courts. 

The lovely vision of that Land of Peace, 

( Than which not fairer seemed a star burst forth 

Amid the rents in some dark tempest torn 

By furious winds, or a flowering vine which climbs 

A pine twice dead and charred to frightful wreck,) 

That lovely vision wooed you on and roused 

Your eager efforts ; but the crumbling edge 

Refused your masonry support, and down 

Into the hungry gulf your labors fell : 

The hot and blasting poison airs that rose 

From out those horrid depths assailed your frame 

Unfit save in a gentle atmosphere 

Like Eden's, or as bland, to live. But I 

Can in an instant by the signal trump 

Upsummon from the soundless deep a host 

As woundless as the shield of Mars ; whose strength 

At chains, and terrors, and tempestuous fires, 

(If kindling with no fiercer elements 

Than those which grandly smoke 'round your domains,) 

Whose strength at persecuting foes like these 

Securely laughs. By aid of these your way 

Across the wide and bottomless abyss 

Safely and certainly may stretch. Above 

And 'round about the grand pontoon thick walls, 



26 THEBHADOWYLAND. 

Or, else, if deemed too huge, a curtain close 
The air congenial of those climes may shield 
From base admixture with those rankling fumes 
Which steam and smoke o'er those infernal gulfs. 

No sooner had the monarch closed his lips 

Than loud applause throughout th' assembly rang ; 

So have I heard upon some rocky shore, 

When distant storms the Ocean's bosom heaved, 

Hoarse thunders from the wide and wave-swept strand. 

And some his eloquence, and some the mien 

Of majesty severe, and some the scheme 

With warmest admiration praised. And while 

The ambitious and the bold in thought pressed 'round 

To gain the notice or the ear of Him 

Who now the attention of the whole absorbed, 

The choir in bursts of warm idolatry 

His station and his power exalted high. 

Now 'mong the assembled there, there lingered one 

Who not more bold than many near, yet wished 

The name of highest courage there to win ; 

Daring a plan to venture which he ne'er 

Would further if approved, and knowing well 

That though applauded with profane outburst 

The prudence of the greater part would lend 

Their ears but not volitions to such schemes : 

He, rising 'mid the buzzing multitude. 

Began at once his singular address : 

Illustrious King, upon whose mighty brow 

There shines the diadem of a world ; and you, 



THESHADOWYLAND. 27 

The flower of Hades and its godlike court, 

The glory of this thrilling hour, I laud 

As high as do the proudest of you all. 

This conclave grand which doth the themes revolve 

Than which none greater or more bold hath e'er 

In Hades, Earth, or other world, its birth 

Received of any source, this hath no power, 

Nor mind, nor dignity, which I do not 

With pride triumphant recognise. List all : 

With armories like ours, and that control 

Over the subtle, natural powers vouchsafed 

By Science unto Study deep, and whilst 

A chief of such overshadowing name here deigns 

To guide our councils and support our hosts . 

With Hell's battallions, countless as the stars. 

Puissant as the rushing orbs that cut 

Through the wild waste of darkness their bright way, 

Smiting the forms of life with fearful death. 

While fortunes brilliant as are these attend 

Upon us in this nether world, our thoughts 

Should rise at once to loftiest deeds and claim 

Th' emblazoned page of History. I urge 

With ardent zeal that we forthwith prepare 

A strong invasion gainst the walls of Heaven ; 

Perchance, another disaffection lies concealed 

Among its liveried slaves ; the working deep 

Of some conspiracy may even now 

Be eating thro' its order and its strength ; 

And we may rob God's crown, at least 

Of half its jeweled blaze. 



28 THESHADOWYLAND. 

A loud applause 
Greeted this daring speech ; but soon there rose 
An eulogist of Satan, Jaser named, who claimed 
A brief attention, and ' advised the course 
Which Hell's great Sovereign had set forth.' But since 
The flow of eloquent thought and rich array 
Of words rhetorical were subject not 
To his inferior command, he ' waived 
The chance their precious time to occupy,' 
Aloud deferring to the sumptuous speech 
And exposition full which their ' great guest' 
Had late vouchsafed to their ' delighted ears.' 

And next arose one with a lowering mien 

And wild and reckless aspect ; on the Earth 

Within the dreary prisons of the mad 

He foamed in restless chains — to that sad plight 

Down Hung by unreined passions and the loose 

Ungoverned rioting of guilty thoughts. 

Amid lone, haunted battle fields he had liked 

To roam at midnight, and behold around 

The mouldering skulls revealed by that weird light 

Which their pale spirits shed as softly they 

Glided with moans above the frightful wrecks 

Of their late temples. Likewise in dim caves, 

Hung with the strange and varied pendants wrought 

By Nature's brilliant alchemy, he walked 

Often by day, nor greeted the bright blush 

Of dew bespangled Morn ; and there on lakes 

Where Pleasure's bannered sail was ne'er unfurled, 



THESHADOWYLAND. 29 

He glided in his rude, lone skiff, and sought 

The spot where, seated in eternal rest. 

The bodies of the ancient dead repose 

Whose stirless forms declare the wond'rous tale 

Of life unchronicled, save in those halls, 

And on their graven armor quaint, 

Forgotten in the shadowy mist of time. 

Amid lone mountain ranges ; on the cataract's verge, 

Besprinkled with its many tinted mist, and where 

The rocking blasts of tempests raved, and shocks 

Of the pitiless, scornful Earthquake, had entombed 

The peopled gala scene in breathless night 

He loved with dark, impassioned mien to roam. 

He now- amid the conclave frowning rose 

And briefly thus addressed th' assembled throng : 

Not to express dissent from plans proposed 

I rise in presence of our kingly guest, 

But to the wisdom of his scheme to add 

Further suggestions ; would it not accord 

With the high spirit of those plans to cast 

Our influence likewise o'er the Earth, and stir 

Commotions furious there ; diversion fit 

In favor of the movements grand below ? 

Tell us, hath Hell among its dark behests 

A power upon the elements of Earth, 

Her subterranean fires to hurl aloft, 

And shake the base of rock built capitals, 

Flooding the palaces with liquid fire 

And rolling on the flowery, vine-clad vales. 

Destruction's scathing tide, which knov a no ebb ? 



30 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Yea, let some potent, cunning spirits fly 

And whelm in ocean, (if ye can,) man's works, 

And lash the sea of human passions, till 

The plains are rocking with the plumy waves, 

And War's dread lightnings answer to the skies 

With voices dear to Vengeance and to Hell. 

This said, as frowning he began, he closed 

With sombre frowns, admired and praised of all. 

The power of Hell none told how limited. 

And then, while notes that mocked the trumpet's call, 

The march of armies and the battle peals, 

From the great gallery sounded ; all went forth 

To form their ranks and plan their dark designs. 

Now some, of Earth's inventions cumbrous fond. 

Clamored aloud for catapults and rams, 

And mighty grappling hooks to wrench a path 

Through sturdy walls ; such implements as knocked 

With fearful emphasis against the gates 

Of Zion's city when the Roman flag 

Repeated prophecies of her crimson fall 

Before the peopled walls — or such as loomed 

Upon the awe-struck vision when of old 

Arbaces and Belesis rived the strength 

Which guarded Ninevah's vast, populous mart, 

Her sculptured wealth of palaces and fanes. 

And rushed in triumph on her glittering throne.* 

But some, the inventive sons of Havoc, smiled 

At their terrestrial taste, and soon wheeled forth 

Their magazines of thunderbolts, all stocked 

* The means used at that time are not, as I am aware, recorded. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 31 

With the dark seeds of ruin wild and wide, 

Chanting a pa^an to the name of him 

Who bore in hell the honors later given, 

Upon the sorrow stricken earth, to Swartz, 

The inventive friar of Cologne. Meanwhile 

The awful battle tocsin from the central tower 

Sounded with solemn call, and summoned forth 

The myriads of Hades to the plain 

Where Mars' great statue frowned upon the eye, 

And shed around upon the gathering throng 

War's demon inspirations. By his side 

Satan exalted stood, and seemed the god 

Himself descended from the Olympian heights. 

Around u]3on the forming ranks he gazed. 

And, with a proud air unapproachable. 

Received the chieftains of the thickening hosts 

And gave with dignity austere his word. 

Then when he judged their order quite matured, 

And when those who delighted with Earth's salts 

And curious properties to deal, by various tests 

And searching ordeal of the dazzling flame 

Extorting answer of their secret powers,* 

Gave word that they their compounds new had formed, 

(Explosive compounds fit for havoc wild,) 

A secret summons gave he to the hosts 

Who owned him as their leader in the climes 



" Racks, not for human limbs designed, but meant 
To torture Nature and extort 
Iler most obscure and vital secrets." 

' Northern Dawn,' by Author of '• Lady Alice.^ 



32 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Where Misery and Darkness dwell fore'er. 

They loitered not upon the wing, but flew 

Like smoke upon the Hurricane's breath ; and soon 

Upon the distant verge of Hell they loomed, 

And seemed a thunder storm : the hurtling loud 

Of their swift wings was heard afar, a sound 

Like to the distant roar of Floridan pines 

When gusts from out the vexed, tempestuotis gulf 

Kush on their stately strength. And all beheld, 

Save Satan, their approach with eyes that gleamed 

With terror as with wonder ; fearing now 

A squadron of avenging spirits winged, 

From out the courts of Heaven, their impious thoughts 

To chastise ere the buds could blow : and some. 

Dropping their arms, in consternation fled. 

Seeking the caves of night ; confusion grand 

Usurped the spacious plain, and soon full half 

Struck with the horror of God's withering fires 

Had fled dismayed, had not the thunder voice 

Of their stern leader, sounding in the din. 

Bade them their allies welcome. Xearer now 

Their countenance betrayed their exiled state ; 

For not the bright certificate of joy 

And holy love shone in their angel looks ; 

But the strong riot of unholy thoughts, 

And anger, and the thirst of vengeance now 

Had chased away th' entrancing lovelit smile 

And the sweet graces of those living climes 

Once consecrate to Beauty and Delight. 

A horrid glare flashed fitful in the cloud 



THESHADOWYLAXD. 33 

Of the advancing hosts, shed forth 

From torches with the burning naptha fired 

Their course to light across the desolate waste 

And thro' the dense smoke shed from Hell's wide jaws, 

Which draperied the verge of Erebus. 

A trumpet blast which shook th" infernal vales 

Announced their near approach ; and serried thick 

Like to some hideous, black and leafless wood 

Scathed by all conquering flames, they stood in ranks, 

Ready for aught their leader should command ; 

And had his voice enjoined them with hot haste 

To rush and tear from out their orbits smooth 

The fair and glittering orbs that sail 

In stiU obedience in the mystic ring 

Around the fount of light — or bidden them stop 

E'en in the midst of their most eager flight, 

Those furies of the sky with flaming locks, 

At sight of which whole systems quake with fright, 

Swift on the errand as the Indian dart 

They would have sped the hopeless task to 've tried. 

Though fired with scornful mutiny at times. 

Now servile seemed their dread. 

Satan stood forth 
And once again the orator appeared : 
Exiles of Heaven, (and now, indeed, of choice,) 
Whose absence from its hated courts is proof 
Of your allegiance and of minds which high 
Above the thought of servitude arose. 
To the pure air of independence risen — 
3 



34 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Ye who in contests past displayed 

Heroic valor 'gainst the arms of Heaven, 

Its crystal castles storming with the force 

Of fire infernal* mingled with the rude 

And crashing missiles from the mine uptorn 

In native, giant weight. ye whose hands 

The pride of Heaven have checked, and His famed boast 

Of universal empire have repressed. 

Your aid upon a scheme more humble, now, 

I warmly ask. The paradise of souls 

In human flesh once vailed, beside this realm 

Spreads out in amplitude, inviting, fair. 

And easy, doubtless, as a spoil to us. 

Long peace its watchmen have made careless now ; 

Upon their towers in dreadless calm they rest. 

And think their care beyond the shade of ill. 

Their kingdom seems the mirrored type of heaven, 

Reposing in a softer, mellower light ; 

With curious fruitage blooming on the trees 

That doth the languishing spirit gratefully wake 

With stir of joy divine, and the flutter sweet 

Of new, ethereal life. To dispossess 

The present occupants, (a timid race. 

Who boast they have no choice of place, 

The smile of God their omnipresent heaven,) 

To rout and scatter these, I apprehend 

The amusement of an hour ; and then, the gates 

With triple adamant braced, and walls 

Fierce bristling with the strange, tremendous arms 

* " With fire infernal seeking to confound," &c.— Milton. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 35 

And enginery of Hell, we may, secure, 

Keep their ignoble host at distant bay 

And taste ourselves the air of Paradise, 

And on the slumbering bosom of its summery sea 

Of varied pleasures anchor for a while 

The storm-torn fleet of our souls chafed with war. 

Its walls we '11 fringe 'round with a mimic hell 

Of blazing bolts in quick succession winged. 

Should they dispute again our title there. 

But if God with his thunder should y' clothe 

His bands seraphic and light up the shade 

Of these inferior kingdoms with the flash 

Of his fierce, torturing lightnings, we can hurl 

Aught of malignant novelty in fire 

Which Alchemy hath given us, and try 

Its temper 'gainst His heavenly hosts. Perchance 

Wild havoc may attest our skill. At least 

Our glorious lot it may become 'ere long 

To prompt a shock which to the farthest bound 

Of Heaven may shake the calm of angel life. 

And thrill their souls at thought of daring grand. 

The glory sumptuous and th' excitement rare 

Of this great day lit up and decked with fires 

Of heroism high, noble inventions, all the grace 

And music, and the bannered pomp that gilds 

Battle's transporting hour, will well be worth 

The painjjof many a day. 

Thus spoke the Fiend. 
The spirit and the glow of all he poured 
Upon their eager hearts, how clearly seen, 



36 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Sprung from a soul corrupted from all good, 

As glowing vapors from some rotting fen 

Rank with the mouldering offerings of Death ! 

The memory of heavenly joy still shed 

A mocking gleam upon his mind. How fallen ! 

Not more unyieldingly and bleakly scorns 

Some icy cliff below Magellan's Strait 

The feeble stragglings of the shipwrecked man 

Seeking to climb with failing heart the shore, 

Than did his proud, his selfish, vengeful soul, 

Purge off all thought of mercy and of right, 

Cased in the icy rock of selfishness, the home 

Of foiled, incensed ambition and revenge. 

Long since had joy forsaken his dark soul : 

Selfish ambition as a courtly thief 

Stole in and ravished it away. 

When Virtue's fair and stately growth was checked, 

Fading for want of nourishing ; when grew 

The excrescence black and gross of Sin's disease. 

Then drooped the glory of the bough, the fruit 

Grew bitter, and in rich, ripe happiness 

No more was seen : henceforth 't was blasted quite. 

The tree once blooming in a fragrant wealth 

Of flowers and fruit, was dead and rotten, struck 

Down from its eminence by Heaven's fatal bolts, 

And now dark sealed unto its burning wrath. 

And prisonment more strict and gloomier still. 

Another angel of the fallen hosts 

Arose with look of ardent life and bade 

Their hopes aspire to loftiest palms, and deeds 



THESHADOWYLAND. 37 

With the unclouded noon of victory crowned ; 

Brave confidence that laughed to scorn all fear, 

The eagle herald of sublime success, 

Piercing the clouds with swift, exulting wing, 

He zealously pronounced : and then he bade 

Certain malignant companies that ranged 

Beneath his captainship, at once to fly 

To the climes of earth and stir up every strife 

Within its irritable breast : " Depart ! 

And lurk in royal council-rooms and breathe 

Pernicious projects in the ears of kings ; 

Ambition's fiery essence secret pour 

Into their restless hearts and fan the flame 

Of national jealousies throughout the world. 

Let not th' infection of a plague steal in 

Where ye do not ; let not the jessamine's breath 

Or roses', or the balmy south-wind flow 

In upon chambers which ye enter not : 

Watch ye the cradle of each new-born scheme 

Of courtly crime and nurse its infant life ; 

Be as the summery air and sunbeams bright 

To every evil bud, betokening fruit 

Of signal mischief and of sullen wo. 

Yea, skulk within the temple's courts where sit 

Doctors and learned priests, and subtly breathe . 

Poisonous temptations that may glare anon 

In horrid heresies and deadly feuds." 

They, having heard this mandate, speed as swift 

As the thistle's down whirled by the tempest's breath, 

Eager their evil errand to fulfill : 



38 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

What wonder that the vulture to "War's field 

And to the loathsome banquet of his taste 

Doth hurry on 1 These were the spirits base 

Which flit with nimble wing from ear to ear, — 

From hovel to the palace ; now o'er seas 

Skimming the waves like stormy petrels, bound 

On viewless pinions to e'en distant shores 

On errands of malign import. In wars 

Hot with the lust of rapine and the zeal 

Of proud Ambition's cravings, these have breathed 

Near by, as at conception of the scheme, 

To urge the enforcement of the dark design, 

The hatching fully of the dragon's egg. 

More skilled than these were absent now, engaged 

In rousing hate against God's holy Son, 

Seeking to drown his love 'mid envious scorn ; 

But these in many a turbid dream took joy. 

Prompting the tempest of the heart, the clash 

Of fierce-eyed Battle and the war of words. 

Thou who in yon vast and sparkling heavens 

Thy blue pavilion spreadest ; clothed in might 

As suns in draperies of wasteless light ; 

Whose glance th' illimitable streams of stars 

Searcheth with quick omnisciency ; 

Thou seest all ! Each dark design lies bare 

Beneath thy fearful eyes, as gorges black 

In midnight shadows deep embower'd, are lit 

With lightnings that glance off from beetling heights. 

And with insufferable splendor blaze 



THESIIADOWYLAND. 39 

In th' deep ravines below. Yon stars that rush 
With luminous locks far-streaming through the sky 
Travel for ages in their flight sublime 
To measure out th' expansion of thy love : 
Attempt most vain ! Thou with that love profound 
Dost condescend thy children to behold, 
The strength of thy dread arm for them to show, 
To plant with life's fair tree, with flowers of bliss 
And glory's blooms of beauty peaceful climes, 
New-Edens, deathless bowers, a Paradise 
Where Hope's fond twilight kindles into day 
(Or with her rosiest promise paints th' sky,) 
And holy Trust beholds the Ransom true 
Whose types on earth her trembling spirit cheered, 
Immortal, crown'd with many crowns. Thy Son. 



END OP BOOK FIRST. 



40 THESHADOWYLAND 



BOOK SECOND. 



' '' Think that to those e'en now are given 
Shadowings of bliss and gleams of future heaven ; 
Not in th' obstruction cold of mortal clay 
Deem that they sleep till earth shall pass away, 
But lift e'en now their intellectual eyes 
'Mid visions of the mediate Paradise." 

Elton's Poems. 

Slumbering beneath the flnsb of golden clouds 

From which soft airs float down upon the land, 

Such airs as spirits breathe, — the Elysian clime 

Spreads out in loveliness and pomp. 

And here a city with fair, pearly gates, 

Its walls of glistening jasper and its towers 

"With beautiful minerals sparkling, filled the eye, 

A type of Heaven's grand capital which John 

Saw in symbolic visions. At those gates. 

In number twelve, twelve angels beauteous stood. 

A lovely spirit, heaven-descended, reigned 

Far in the city's heart, and her sweet smile 

That Paradise illum'd ; her name was Hope. 

O fair within her palace-chambers gleamed 

Visions of Heavenly prospects, bright as scenes 

Where Love first drew his breath ! How dim, by these, 

Lorraine's rich, slumberous glories, Wilson's pomp 

Or those superb, entrancing scenes which Cole 

Pictured before his voyager's charm'd eye.. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 41 

And her prime minister was Love, as fair 

Winning and sweet a seraph as did e'er 

Stoop from the courts of light. And meekness there 

With temperance (whose eyes and cheeks were pure 

As dews and opening roses,) joined with Faith 

A spirit with a penitent, earnest mien 

Full of devoted trust, whose soul, absorbed. 

The scrolls of prophecy perused, these all 

Were grouped her noble ministry to form : * 

The breath of Hope throughout her blissful realm 

Dispensed reviving sweetness, and soft airs 

Eich with the incense of the fanes of Heaven 

And odors of its deathless flowers strayed down 

At times upon the vales of Paradise 

Breathing delicious pleasure. Oft they saw, 

Far in the serial azure, faces fair 

In most unearthly beauty and caught strains 

Which seemed like anthems from the gala halls 

Where Virtue, wedding with immortal Joy, 

Her holy triumphs celebrates, — and now 

As glad as movements of the weaned bird 

With freedom, power and summer's beauty dmnk, 

JS'^ow fond and eloquent as are the words 

Where genius couches its enamored flame 

With passionate kisses seconded. Nor thence 

Alone did float their melody : full oft 

From their vast, gorgeous temple streamed 



* The idea of this passage was,. I presume,, suggested by a passage in 
an English poet, or by Peale's illustration of it. 



42 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Airs worthy of the jubilees of heaven ; 

And when high genius (charming monster ! bright, 
Spiritual extravagance of nature, proof 
Golden and rich of her disordered powers ;* 
Like fallen angels' diadem, the fair 
Insignium of a dark revolt ! the bright 
And captivating pomp where glares 
The lightning of the warrior's sword ; — the thronef 
And god-like grandeur of Olympian Jove !) 
And when high genius o'er the burning strings 
Its fingers threw and poured with richest tones 
Its melodies divine, e'en seraph ears 
From the soft ether listened, charmed and rapt ; 
All Happy Hades with delighted ear 
Listened to symphonies and anthems high 
Where sweet-lipped music with expression true, 
E'er varying with the flow of ardent thought, 
The heavenly goodness celebrated : Now 
In solemn and majestic strains more grand 
Than came to Hadyn's hour inspired, the acts 
Of the creative power they laud ; and now 
In melodies which breathe of sterner might 
And harmonies with passionate discords dashed, 
They sing the deeds of Moses, and the arm 
Outstretched and glorious of the Lord of life 



* Genius in its highest manifestation is here spoken of as being like 
idiocy, its antithesis, a result of the fall of man ; and hence is compared 
to certain pomps and splendors which indicate and are the decorations of a 
state of corruption. 

t The image of Jove in his temple. 



THESHADOWYLAND. 43 

Above the shattered strength of Egypt and 

Her whelmed, appall'd hosts. Nor ever once 

Upon the ear (to outward sound how deaf ! 

To inward voicings how divinely waked !) 

Of strange Beethoven monarch of the lyre 

Crowned with the stars of fame, did music steal 

More fondly sweet and boldly grand than that 

Which the Elysian minstrels breathed in praise 

Of Him whom prophecy in moving strains 

Of old foretold ; in visions awful, seen 

Brought to the Eternal's throne, th' embodying bright 

Of love and power ; like violet meek, the oak 

In strength and fortitude, — ordained to grasp 

The sceptre kissed of universal power 

And glorious domination bought with blood. 

And when His reign millennial they hymn 

(Seen in prophetic light) and their awards — 

Life with unfading loveliness arrayed 

And faculties of heavenly stamp, — their bursts 

Full of the strength of wonder, love and joy 

Excelled the mighty minstrel's who extolled 

In glorious strains the Messianic Prince 

And made his own name quenchless as the sun. 

And others, strangers in that mediate land, 

Came to the audience of their anthems high 

As " certain stars " that left their native " spheres " 

To list terrestrial music. These were shapes 

Of subtle, spiritual substance ; things that were 

Unto the grosser elements of earthly forms 

As are the delicate reflections from the peak 



44 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Of icy Alpine tops to the coarse fire 

That tips the point of J^tna ; or, compare 

With wild and crabbed fruit on rocky hills 

The fruit which tempted Eve with fragrant blush 

Or bows the ruddy branch o'er Life's pure stream. 

Once did these visitants abide as men 

In neighboring planets which around the sun 

Like Earth their circles sweep ; but changed 

To substance more etherial they roamed 

In angel freedom, beauteous, pure and bright. 

Among them Enoch sometimes took a place, 

And rapt Elijah also, loved of Heaven, 

Which, jealous of the grave and Paradise, 

His living body, shrine of loyal fire, snatched up 

Unto the golden courts of love Divine. 

And still the semblance of their former shape 

These lovely spirits wore ; and those who 'd roved 

Amid the flowery vales of Yenus and had bathed 

Their natural rose amid the purple flush 

The rapt astronomer with optic glass 

Sees on the twilight line upon her globe, — 

More graceful these than Yenus when she stood 

In classic glory for the golden prize 

Deserved by beauty's soft, voluptuous might, 

That likewise won a starry name in heaven. 

More like to Psyche's loveliness they seemed. 

But why to beings of imagination, shaped 

In poetry's mould of beauty, these compare 1 

The fine, sweet tints of past carnations still 

Lingered upon their forms and blushed amid 



THESHADOWYLAND. 45 

The mellow chrystal of their substance strange. 

From the great Sun, too, spirits came who 'd dwelt, 

In former life, beneath his fiery air, 

'Mid scenes of beauty, happy 'neath the glow 

Of his fierce splendors tempered soft and soothed 

To genial moderation. * Still they bore 

The traces of their former clime, and shed 

A sunshine glory round their steps ; so, where 

They like Aurora's band their pathway chose 

Across the hills and vales the wakening flowers 

Opened their folded petals as they passed. 

And birds, withdrawing from their purple wings 

Their sweet, wee heads, sang " welcome," as to dawn. | 

In converse glad these beauteous spirits stood 

With the Earth-born prisoners of Death and Hope, 

Embodied prophecies of their coming state. 

As of the day are morning's glittering clouds. 

Now, while in pleasures of their converse pure, 

Melodious transports and the equal joys 

Which Science, eloquence and hallowed Art 

Give freely to their devotees, the guards 

Who on the Elysian walls their watch 

Kept ceaselessly, discerned afar the flash 

Of an armed host, as oft as from the clouds 

Dismal and ominous of Hell, their bolts 



* The Sun, it has been supposed, may be inhabited beneath a thick fold 
or cloudy curtain tempering the heat. 

t It was not till after this conceit was written or conceived that Shakes- 
peare's idea of the sparkling eye that " in heaven, would through the airy 
region stream so bright," &c., came into mind. 



46 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Forked thro' th' accursed and haunted gloom. And soon 

A fearful distant noise of tramping hosts 

Likewise aroused their fears ; that envious ire 

Which overflowed in war's malign array 

Alarmed with menancings proud ; as when some lake, 

Swelled to the brim, abhors its earthly bars ; 

Or when some noble river scorns its dyke, 

And, bursting through, affrights with roarings loud 

The slumbering villagers in the plains below ; 

Who to the housetops rush with pallid haste, 

And there behold by night's uncertain gleams, 

The foam of furious floods, the trees uptorn, 

And houses borne away like leaves that fall 

Into th' autumnal streams. 

Then swiftly flew 
The messengers to that revered spot 
Where Adam, joined with Eve, in gardens fair, 
Rivalling Eden's, tasted nectared fruits 
Without a forfeit or the frowns of Heaven. 
Here all their children in Elysium come, 
At times, to pay their honors meet, and see 
The venerable oak of earliest days 
Whose acorns filled the world with forests. She 
The mother of our race, too, not forgot. 
Received their benedictions, and the flowers 
Which in the bosom of Elysium thrive 
And fit to crown her beauty ; beauty grand 
But not with earthly, sanguine freshness bright, 
But smiling with etherial tints and traits. 



THESHADOVVYLAND. 47 

Like some soft dream of matcliless glory past, 
Pure from its stains ; or, as the vision fair 
Of truthful Love seen in the glorious trance 
Of some high, holy bard. 

It happened then 
A group of worthiest ancients met our Sire 
Around his board with fruits ambrosial piled. 
And gleaming with the luscious waters dipped 
From the honied Founts of Bliss ; (these leapt 
Sparkling into the air of Paradise 
Washing away the memories of draughts 
Of Asia's choicest wines or richest blood 
The trampled vintages of Spain or Gaul 
Ever in their voluptuous carnage shed : 
Such pleasure on the taste thereof did wait. ) 
Amidst their feast while Music's mellow voice 
Aud quivering harp-strings stirred a rich delight, 
(Attendant worthiest of a feast that doth 
To gratefullest digestion pure conduce,) 
The pallid messenger with flurried air 
"Was to their smiling conclave ushered swift. 
Startling the gravest Sons of Paradise 
With looks where chill dismay the omen sad 
Of some grave menace showed : " Patriarch ! Sire 
Of all whom Earth on her wide breast hath nursed. 
By winged fright dispatched, I come. 
A vision bristling with such horrid threats 
And with a cloud of such dark perils girt. 
Dismal and menacing as the jaws of Hell, 



48 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Or frownings of its roused and incensed prince, 

Hath never startled our appalled watch. 

But brief : an army comes ! and by their grim 

And giant engines and the banners wrought 

With types of hate infernal and the fierce 

Mottoes of vengeance and the oaths of war, 

Wherewith they flout the sullen face of night, 

I judge embittered enemies from darkest Hell 

Or its dim counterfeit beyond. The angry flash 

Of storms which bellow round their path 

Reveal their arms and progress, happily not 

Of their dread weaponry a part ; ah ! soon 

Hurled in appalling bolts of ruinous force 

Upon our walls and fortresses, I fear. 

When the gruff muttering of clouded night 

Was hushed for moments, from afar we heard. 

Or deemed we heard, the fearful howl of fiends, 

Partly, it may be, outcries of that woe 

Which they e'en more than their stern allies know 

And partly the impatient shouts of hearts 

Phrenzied to their dark core with thirst of war. 

We did bethink ourselves of wolves that howl 

About new conquests of the undaunted plough. 

Trampling with restless feet the fold around. 

Maddened with hunger, with their yellings loud 

And strife infuriate frighting the dun clouds 

(That hover o'er the sleep of dew-gemmed earth) 

And the dark, solemn firs that bend above 

Like swarthy slaves that watch some queen who sleeps 

With her rich mantle and her jewels on." 

Thus he : 



THESHADOWYLAND. 49 

To whom the First of men replied : 
" Thy words astonish us ; this news is fit 
To strike the vigorous arm to palsied chills 
Trembling and impotent, if holy trust 
Did not our spirits arm. surely God, 
Whose glance divides the pitchy night of Hell, 
The deepest Hell, reading its impious plots, 
Hath fully noticed here our danger dark 
And the stormy menacings of war. On wings 
Yiewless but sure and shedding secret death 
Or consternation dire, (as on the host 
Sennacherib encamped near Zion's walls, — 
Or those who heard the rumbling sound of wheels 
As of ten thousand chariots near, so now) 
The terrors of his judgments will descend ; 
As Love her never-ending summer keeps 
Within His breast and guards with sleepless eye 
The happy state of those who serve Him, God, 
Doubtless, by winged messengers will smite 
With wild, confused dismay this demon throng 
Approaching near our seats, or hurl His darts 
With burning anger tipt." 

Then to his guests, 
(The second father of mankind, who rode, 
Borne up by buoyant righteousness above 
The watery abyss of death ; and him 
Who rose triumphant o'er the second flood 
With all his followers, to behold the wreck 
Of Egypt's impious chivalry down cast 
4 



50 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Beneath the Red Sea's foam, with others known 

In history above the purpled names 

Of monarchs and unrighteous victors great,) — . 

To these his guests, next, Adam turned, and thus 

His counsels firm advanced : sons, whom God 

Hath clearly loved and honored high, how true 

That till within th' embosoming peace of Heaven 

Guarded by flaming cherubim who hurl * 

Their bolts at every imp who dares too near 

The crystal towers to approach, how true till then 

The cloudless noon-day of seraphic bliss 

Is but a dream which lights the couch of hope. 

Had we not erred from truth, — had I not sinned 

And led to ruin my corrupted race 

This wall, the index of our bonds and shame 

And death, had never prisoned here our souls : 

But bore upon a plumed and joyous strength 

We, with the heights of heaven and starry realm 

Of the unbounded universe familiar grown. 

Might smile at fear, in blest assurance rapt : — 

But is not now bright Hope's sweet music ours ? 

The ruddy morning of the day of bliss. 

Steal not its tuneful and prophetic charms 

With deepening beauty o'er the soul ? Faith, hope 

And love, — these never die ! the righteous heart 

Shall ever with their vines be strengthened, bound, 

Sustained by their strong tendrils and be charmed 

With th' breath and heaven-born beauty of their flowers. 

Pale fear, begone ! and welcome faith in God ! 

* An oriental conceit. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 51 

He will protect or doth foresee us safe. 
But why, too late, should I lament, or waste 
In this the imminent hour the moments left 
For preparation of defence ? Go bid 
Those who have power o'er air (if God such power 
To any here hath loaned) to charge yon sky 
With subtle chemic elements and powers 
Whence, flaming and solidified, such orbs 
As from the waste of midnight brightly rush 
Athwart the clear and deep-blue skies 
May thickly flash amid the startled air : 
Go, urge all those who have such mystic gifts 
To gather 'round our gates such airy powers 
And mount with such artillery our walls. 
And let the antiquarian's halls produce 
Their rusting imitations of Earth's arms, 
Perchance, not made in vain ; and if here breathes 
One earth-born soul or spirit from heaven whose might 
(The gift of God alone, the wisest, best !) 
Unto the Elysian sun extends, let him, 
If Heaven permit, in fitting time, 
"Shading our clime with cloudy canopy, 
That globe to ruinous, torrid splendor rouse, 
Which may melt down their enginery and fire 
With horrible havoc and confusion wild 
Whatever stores for war their malice brings, — 
(The malice of our demon foes, I mean.) 

Then Daniel, of a memory mild and pure, 
Thus briefly to our general father spoke : 



52 THESHADOWYLAND. 

" Adam, wisely hast thou said ; and well 

Rush of our number many to discharge 

The duties just imposed ; one weapon more 

May well be urged : of temper keen and clear, 

More hallowed than the sword the patriot draws ; 

Bright with the lustre of great victories past ; 

Still oft as a whisper in its rushing swift ; 

And drawing, sometimes, by an influence grand 

Legions invincible of angels, armed 

With th' deadly giftings of the Eternal Power, 

The heralds of dismay and wrath and death ; 

'Tis known as prayer, prayer faithful and sincere : 

The golden portals of Heaven's secret courts 

Fly open as its message winged draws near ; 

Perfumed with smoke of sacrifice, it breathes 

An undefective odor ; gains the ear 

Of Majesty Divine and pleadeth there 

With sweet, anointed breath. Then droops the wing 

Of th' dread, poisonous pestilence : The clouds, 

Chased from the skies and withered by the blaze 

Of the Omnipotent's avenging wrath, 

Regather on the azure plains of heaven, 

And cast their largesses of pearls to earth ; 

Earth ! burning and sorrowing and famine-struck ; 

Then smiles thy face again ; and bounty glows 

Like a rich cheek with health and laughter full ; 

Sweet Music strikes anew her broken lute. 

Yea, Prayer hath thus unlocked the awful founts 

Of God's resistless Spirit : and hath wooed 

To th' sick frame or to death's ghastly sleep 



THESHADOWYLAND. 53 

The healing, quickening power : The sin-sick soul 
Trembling upon the crumbling verge of Hell, 
He, too, hath lived ; hath lived by faithful prayer 
Upgushing from a penitent breast. But why 
Should we recount its eloquence (which all 
Must needs admit,) — that it brings down a shower, 
As of the flowers and fruits of lovelier worlds, 
The clustering sweetnesses, hope, peace and joy, 
And bounties good, which th' Earth, laughing to hear 
The prattling streams again, holds forth 
As sacrifice to God." 

To him the First of men : 
" Son ! 'tis well ; of course, all hearts, at once, 
(This consultation broken,) would entreat 
The Highest to regard our threatened State, 
And with the invulnerable shield of Heaven 
Guard our assaulted breasts." 

Then Noah, in turn, 
Addressed them, too : No light distress my breast 
Would, but for faith in God Most High, disturb ; 
Since rumor whispereth that the Son of God 
(Oft on the shadows of our earthly day 
Descending like the pearly, cheerful bow. 
The Angel who our early hopes did lead 
To his far-distant triumph over sin 
And death's grim tyranny in breathless gloom) 
Since rumor whispereth that this Heavenly Friend, 
Born of a virgin, now his glory shrouds 



54 THESHADOWYLAND. 

In the veil of mortal weakness, prisoning 

The lightnings of His honor and His power 

In a link of Judah's royal chain : Perchance, 

Were ours a bleak necessity, his eye, 

Clouded by human impotence, might not 

The star perplexed of our lot discern. 

Did not the Father in his spirit dwell.* 

His hand fast bound in earthly fate, bereaved, 

(Perish the thought !) of its grand gifts Divine, 

Or else foregoing now the awful wealth 

Of its celestial might, may 't falter now 

In human weakness, chained, perhaps, and faint 

In dungeons of disdainful foes ? So run 

As in my latest words, unwelcome thoughts. 

Which let none entertain : Such dreams 

Our adversary now may nurse ; and hence 

Environs us around with threatnings stern 

And in our ears the trump of vengeance peals. 

Startling the smiling rest of Paradise. 

Yet God, Father omniscient ! thy clear eye 

Lights up the depths of Hell ; and thy dread power, 

Quick as the storm-bolts' light from east to west, 

Pursues the plots of wickedness, if Thou 

Resolv'st to crush e'en in the pregnant bud 

The schemes of hellish hate ; beneath the foot, 

The mighty, brazen foot f of Providence 

To break the crimsoning egg." 

* " I am in the Father, and the Father in me." — St. John's Gospel. 
t See Rev. I, 15. 



THESHADOWTLAND. 55 

Then beauteous Eve 
Thus mourned aloud in self-condemning words : 
Alas ! that one small cloud begotten so far 
In the dim lapse of time should still maintain 
Its rule of sorrow ; still, enlarged, should fill 
Our distant sky, thundering with omens dire ! 
To this exposure to captivity 
My hand hath chiefly led. And they who hide 
Amid their household treasures the live eggs 
Of serpents or of dragons fell must not 
Admire or murmur if a poisonous horde 
Hiss 'mid their rosiest bowers, or in the blood 
Yea even of distant progeny, at will. 
Their venomous malice quench : but I lament 
The fearful evils done, yet still rejoice 
In lofty confidence : 0, but for that 
"Well might I now exclaim : " Ah ! now, what fear 
Must spread its pale and chilly light among 
Our children in this clime ! and many those 
Who 're tender as the new-born leaf, whose hearts 
Were never formed for consternation's hour 
And the gusty verge of danger's darkening wing. 
Son Divine ! as thou art on the Earth, 
As prophecy and rumor say, and seest 
The shadows of our present, — pray 
Unto thy Father granting all to Thee 
E'en to the throne of Heaven, to list t' our prayers 
And fill with full security that void 
Betwixt the foe and us : So, Eve besought. 
Then Adam, deeming that on him did rest 



56 THESHADOWTLAND. 

The chief responsibility, prepared 

To overlook all plans designed to shield 

Their country in the perilous hour. Faith still 

Their spirits cheer'd, a cordial sweet ; else might 

The pen historic thus discourse : Now Fear 

Usurped the empire of delightful Hope : 

As when the moon o'er some wide-spreading clime 

With jealous shade the Sun's bright glory blots 

In chill and ominous eclipse ; as when 

Strange, sudden night o'ercomes at noon the sky, 

Orbless and rayless, vomited abroad 

From deep, volcanic seams, a panic shakes 

The unsunned tribes below ; so now there spread 

A woful consternation through the vales 

Of late glad Paradise : Thus oft-times blight 

Doth on the golden hope of man descend ; 

The husbandman with joy beholds his fields 

Beauteous as Ceres' generous smile and ripe, 

Dallying with summer gales 5 when lo ! a flock 

Of greedy birds, all famine-struck, becloud 

The sunny heavens ; and pouncing on his grain, 

Eecklessly gorge in glee their spacious crops : 

Or, else, some wandering storm, by fierce winds whirled 

Scouring along the vale, with giant shouts 

Pelts with unmerciful battery of hail 

The golden treasure into mire and sand. 

Now Fear, a pale-cheeked shade, with glance as wild 

As antelope's upon the Eocky Mounts 

Echoing with huntsmen, rushed on toward the courts 

Where Hope her heaven-lighted crown y' wore, 



THESHADOWYLAND. 57 

Lovely as light. The gentle queen appalled 

Fled from her seat, but lingered in that clime, 

Potent tho' throneless ; while the usurping one 

Divided with the monarch fled her power. 

Yet not with such dire tyranny she raged 

As when, in fabulous fancy of the heathen bard, 

Before the awful seat of frowning Mars 

(So Claudian writes) she held the loosened reins, 

While o'er the fallen His crimson wheels were whirled. 

Not thus was peace o'erwhelmed, and Hope dethroned ; 

Not thus the pen historic must record ; 

For, love's pure air braced up their confidence. 

Then, well-commissioned, flew up towards the Sun 

(If that vast sphere of rich and mellow light 

Which in the violet heavens of Paradise 

Soars splendidly, may thus be called with name 

Of earthly language borrowed,) spread his wings 

A spirit of excelling note and power, 

Whose birth was in some distant, central orb ; 

A visitant of Hell. Now, as he soared, 

Afar, spread out upon the darkened coast 

The army of th' invaders vast and murk 

His eagle eye espied ; and soon discerned 

Their banners streaming in the sable air, 

Now lit by fearful lightnings, now by flames 

That 'mid Gehenna's * lurid smoke uprose 

At times into the awful gloom ; (for, near the walls 

That guarded Paradise, a hideous chasm 

* " Gehenna," the place of torment, the lake of fire. 



58 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Breathing a deadly stench and sulphurous fires, 

Protecting more than fort's deep moat, the jaws 

Revealed of deepest Hell ;) — their banners vast 

Some dark, some red as blood, with frightful forms, 

Dragons and furies and Empusee scaled 

Painted upon their grounds, seemed like the shrouda 

And pall most gloomy of Elysian hope 

And bliss long deemed immortal : So, to souls 

Not fortified by th' granite strength of faith 

Th' insignia of that host would then have seemed. 

He sped to th' courts of light, upborne in air 

With the night incense of delicious flowers 

Bathing his airway, (as sweet joys surround 

The heart which soars by laith and love and prayer 

Towards Christ the spiritual Sun ;) still on 

The night he cleft until, beyond the shade. 

He saw as rising in his pomp the Sun ; 

And glorious with its tracery of clouds 

Were the casements and the picture of the East, — 

As glorious as the window of some fane 

Where th' anniversary of the birth of light 

Is celebrated with rich, gorgeous fires 

In the deep groves of Heaven. Now clear and wide 

His opal splendors spread ; the gold-like fields 

Extending as he neared ; 'till at length he saw 

God-like and beauteous, with his lustrous wings 

Dyed in prismatic hues, the angel high 

Who o'er that world of glory reigned, * with power 

* Milton, perhaps, took the idea of the angel in the sun from Revela- 
tions. 



THESHADOWYLAND. 59 

Its mystic rays of light and heat to sway 

Tempering at will : (For such sublime control 

Had Heaven conferr'd.) And thus that Prince he spoke : 

honored seraph, holy, pure and bright, 

Who might'st alone, were this grand orb submerged 

In the thick gulf of stifling, Stygian night, 

(Like an archangel plunged in Hell's dense gloom,) 

The glory of the Elysian heaven maintain. 

Shedding a bland, celestial day afar 

Over th' employments of the blest ; I come 

Thy aid to ask ; for, scornful foes the bliss 

Of Happy Hades now insult with swarms 

Of warlike cohorts, engines terrible and flags 

Piratical and black, with emblems red, 

Burthening the heavy air below, — which flags 

May well remind one how upon the earth. 

At twilight dim, from Etna's demon throat 

A wide, far-streaming, sable smoke rolls forth 

Dashed with infernal red ; and like the groans 

Heard from beneath, prophetic of wild rack 

And chaos of devouring fire, the rumbling seems 

Of their gigantic cars. The First of men 

Hath in his wisdom asked our speedy aid 

In disconcerting and confounding all 

Who 'gainst the peace of Paradise conspire ; 

Having for this design besought the Lord, 

That our assistance may be rendered them. 

If stirring up the power which God hath loaned 

(Which He hath bidden us use for holy ends,) 

Soon with a treble fervor we can light 



60 THESHADOWYLAND. 

This glorious throne thou claimest ; riot dire 
And mutiny amid their mineral stores 
So eager for incendiary rage may hurl 
Amid their hosts wildest extravagance 
Of ruin and dismay. 

To him the seraph bright : 
" I well remember thee, that spirit high, 
Once in thy primary estate, well known, 
A habitant of Earth's magnificent sun ; 
Now through the love of God and heavenly laws 
Moulded anew by his ne'er-failing hand 
And with etherial frame endowed. And here 
Thou 'rt warmly welcomed ! If fatigued thou art 
"With thy swift, lengthy flight, I pray, 
Let me a diamond cup with ether fill 
(An essence ravished from the luminous streams 
And flavored with the spicy breath of flowers 
Which flourish on the orb beneath this blaze,) 
Draught worthy deathless lips ; its power will breathe 
Delectable transports, and diffuse thro' wings 
And cheeks and brow a soft, etherial glow 
Like the tinted streamings of the northern dawn, 
As seen on distant Earth.* Like thee I've gazed 
Upon that rabble huge who now encamp 
Beyond Elysium's flaming moat, and feared 
Or almost feared that this rough demon crowd 

* "What wonder then if fields and regions here 
Breathe forth elixir pure and rivers run 
Potable gold," &c. — Milton. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. • 61 

Some mischief foul should work. Your hint is well ; 

And, if not fire-proof, their dark, smutty stores 

Or whatsoe'er they have compounded new 

For battlp's liery intercourse shall cloud 

The atmosphere of Hades where they're thronged. 

Thou hast, I know, a power o'er fire ; and soon 

In the grand aj)ocalypse of future time 

Shall have thy part in those symbolic deeds 

Reserved for Christ's apostle lingering last. 

But I need not thy proffered aid ; go thou, 

And, with th' Almighty's sanction, use His gifts, 

Shade Paradise with cool and grateful clouds, 

When thou art rested. Should I shroud the blaze 

Of the Elysian day in murkiest night, — 

Then, with a mocking scenery of bright towers 

Seen by a warlike glare perplex the foe ; 

(If such illusion thou by Art canst cause,) 

That firing his hellish malice in the air 

Or, better still, against his distant wings 

And 'gainst such ambushed squadrons in close rank 

And such reserves as you may then espy, 

He may assist his overthrow and smite 

With furious vollies his own hateful crew. 

Then Alzaran (for he the errand bore,) 
Drank the etherial stream, a nectared draught, 
And flung far out upon the luminous air. 
His freshened vans ; a fond adieu he waved 
Unto the spirit of the sun, who smiled, 
In pure celestial beauty robed ; for, he, 



62 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Though on a throne of light and beauty couched, 
Eclipsed it all ; as, piety heaven-born. 
Gemming the graces of a lovely maid 
(Oft crowned the queen of May,) outshines their j^harms 
Though of the softest witchery ; or, as a star 
Bursting in silvery splendor through the blush 
Of Evening's sweetly stained and mottled sky 
Unchallenged reigns 'mid heaven's surrounding pomp. 

Meanwhile the army of the foe encamped 

Beyond the infernal chasm, while night veiled 

The world of either hell ; a deeper shade 

Covering their own bleak clime ; (for, pearly gleams 

Through the curtaining smoke of Tartarus shot thro' 

At times from far Elysium to prompt 

The thought of their great loss and tantalize 

Their longings with a dream of heavenly noon.) 

Then Satan in his chariot vast and wrought 
With golden emblems of his state and power, 
By winged lions drawn (whose fierce eyes flashed 
A bloody overthrow to less than gods 
Or spirits immortal,) loomed on high. His glance 
How stern and dreadful ! while revenge and pride 
Reigned like a thunder-darkened night o'er brows 
Severe and terrible as the caves of death. 
A thousand warriors, clad in flashing steel 
Tempered by cunning art, before him strode ; 
Beside him, mailed in silver hard and bright. 
His armor-bearer with his massive shield 



THESHADOWYLAND. 63 

Stood waiting his commands ; while torches thick 

Amid the darkness flared, shedding their blaze 

O'er the plumed helmets of the infernal peers, 

Who, each in seraph majesty and pomp, 

Grasped his resplendent spear. Th' Apostate rose ; 

His gorgeous mantle on his shoulder still 

Hung purple and emblazed ; for, its gemlit stars. 

Sparkling in fadeless and enchanting light. 

Seemed like the jewels on Aurora's vest. 

In fabled visions of war's tragedies 

Not Mars himself e'er with such glorious port 

Gazed o'er the field while fierce Bellona stormed 

Waving her lurid torch. Hast thou not seen 

A mountain capt with dazzling snows, whose sides 

Blushed with the mellow summer's wealth, with flowers 

Laughing beside th' empurpled vintage full 1 

Yet fires of reckless fury raged below. 

Deadly and poisonous airs amid ; and lo ! 

The ominous darkness frowns upon its brow, 

Bursting the glittering crest : or spiritual Rome 

Hast seen in painted, sumptuous splendor drest ; 

With Art's voluptuous blandishments and pomp 

Of her sovereignty enriched ; while dark. 

Deceitful, earthly and profane her heart. 

The sink of filthy lies, a sorcerer's pot 

Drugged with the naaseous alchemy of death. 

Which God scarce tolerates, — abhorred and doomed 

To irrecoverable and frightful wreck 

In his hot day of vengeance ? Then thou 'st seen 

How dark corruption vests itself in wealth 



64 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Of beauty and magnificence, and hides 
Its poison in a jeweled cup. 

Not long 
Waited his princes, eager for his voice ; 
Nor he long doubted with what theme to stir 
Their martial fire : and ere the morning rose, 
With voice heroic their far audience claimed : 
" Ye warriors of Hell and princes high, 
Names chronicled in heaven's eternal scrolls 
And blazoned in this empire of its shade, 
Fame's own peculiar paradise (where mind. 
The high and independent will and hearts 
Of lofty courage meet their honor due,) — 
The hour of your reward is near ! For, glory here 
Shall to your lightning-scythes her harvests bend. 
Though e'en the worst o'ertake. And of what more fair, 
Worthier your heaven-born spirits can we dream 
Than her rich, golden sheaves ? the field, 'tis true. 
Hath never injured us, that we should sweep 
The brightness of the reaping steel above 
Its yielding, innocent breast ; yet God himself 
Confesses that he reared up Egypt's strength 
To honor with the ruin of the pile 
His glorious name ; as when the tropic heaven 
Prodigal of sunshine and of fattening rains 
Forces some forest to gigantic grow^th ; 
And then, while all are wondering at its pomp, 
Darts down the lightning 'mid its resinous pines. 
And fans them kindling with the tempest's breath, — 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 65 

Displaying by the splendors of the wreck 

That roll their waves afar how dread and grand 

The power mysterious that sinks in ruin.* 

If all, this day, their valor prove, and lift 

The avenging battle-axe in danger's face 

Scornful of fear, your princely seats thenceforth 

I will exalt in our great empire ; hymn'd 

With choral melody and epic song, 

Harpings angelical and trumps of fame 

Shall be the story of your brave exploits. 

Those voices, sure, can drown the horrid din 

E'en of the scathing thunderbolts of God 

Upon the memory lingering ; while Fame's balms 

And odors breathing of eternal flowers 

Can happily anoint the scars of war 

With their oblivious medicine. But not 

Through prospects of defeat, would I repress 

Your noble courage. If deserved success 

Your chivalry should fly, (the highest good 

We wish and seek for,) surely partial gain 

We cannot but accomplish ; partial gain 

Would to our lips a gladdening chalice give 

Sweet to the lusts of vengeance ; dignity 

And pride off"ended would some sacrifice 

See on their altars laid ; a dread and pain, 

Like gleams from a Fury's torch, we can send wide 

* It need scarcely be observed that the truth is that though Egypt for 
idolatry, tyranny and vice deserved earlier rebuke, God allowed her to 
mature in strength and prosperity to render more marked the triumphs of 
his power in her overthrow. 

5 



66 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Throughout that clime where, cradled in Heaven's love, 
Elysium slumbers in fond dreams of peace 
As some soft isle bent o'er by summery skies. 
The abutments and supports of Paradise 
Some frightful fissures will confess ere night 
Summons yon rising orb unto its couch." 

But ere his fellows could respond appeared 

Three noble messengers from the happy climes. 

Ambassadors sent from the First of men 

To seek the object of this armed march, 

And gain by parley a brief hour or two 

Their preparations with full power to make, 

If they in vain should warn the threat'ning host. 

Borne up above the smoking moat by hands 

Of visitant angels, on the soil of hell 

(Or what might almost seem its smouldering marl,) 

Dingy and smoking, — their elysian feet 

Not without trembling trod. Their advent far 

Satan beheld, but not with fearful heart, 

Tho' Joshua and Sampson and the monarch bard 

He through their Hadean disguises knew. 

They passed the guard, a bristling winged horde, 

And through their paraphernalia warlike walked. 

Hissed at by some, and waking deep remorse 

In fallen souls once subjects or compeers. 

Long since by death or vengeance plucked from hope 

And prisoned in that dreary porch of hell. 

The guards and plumed ushers soon forth strode 

The three before th' Apostate's seat to bring. 



THESHADOWYLAND. 67 

To impress these messengers with an awful sense 

Of sternest majesty and god-like power 

Which, taught by him, they for their chieftain claimed, 

Down on their faces they then humbly fell 

And lauded him a king of kings, a god, 

Image supreme of Heaven's eternal Sun 

Glassed in the sombre Stygian lake 

Then he. 
Soon as the intoxicating swell expired 
Of trumpets richly voiced and th' waving ceased 
Of banners glistening like gold-fringed clouds 
That page the morning's advent, — then their Prince, 
Affecting courtesy estrangered long 
From his proud, arrogant soul 
(Whose polar, wintry clime no summer knows 
Of rose-sweet courtesies alive and true,) 
Welcomed the embassy with gentle words 
Of diplomatic blandishment and looks 
Where in expressions kind deceit played well. 
" Welcome ! most reverend seniors " (he exclaimed) 
" Who honor us with august presence, all 
Seeking in courtesy to get the start 
Of our ambition to be first in all. 
If I do err in counting you, my lords, 
Ambassadors of yon fair realm ; and ye 
Rather are travelers, by curious zeal 
Urged forth upon this arid waste to search 
Its varied wonders out and see what art 
Hath wrought this desolation to adorn, — 



THE SHADOWY LAND 



Go forth in peace upon your enterprise 
And our safe conduct shall go forth as yours. 
Upon like errand have we, too, now brought 
Our court and honorary guard thus far, 
Desiring first to visit your bright realm, 
(The city of fair Paradise,) its strength. 
Its pomp and triumphs of rich art to see : 
Thence, on our way to that vast clime beyond 
It is our scheme to hasten ; there to test. 
If need be, by the aid of engines strong. 
Its rocks and precipices which may hide 
The blaze of gems and chemic values choice ; 
So, with this blameless robbery enriched 
To bear welcome incumbrance, carrying thence 
New knowledge of this mystic world below." 

To him made answer one of those addressed : 

" Too wise are we unto fair Paradise 

One treachery-stamp'd like unto thee, t' admit : 

These warlike hosts and engines strange portend 

Malicious onset and the fiery clash 

Of battle's stormy, thunder-riven hour. 

Those grim and potent instruments 

Were not designed as means whereby to pierce 

The gemmy arteries of nature, ope 

The pulseless veins which close the golden streauis 

And frozen silvery currents. Fallen one ! 

Tho' peaceful were thy aims, rule strict, severe 

Forever bars thee from the climes of Hope 

And from th' Elysian haunts of souls redeem'd." 



THESHADOWYLAND. 69 

Yielding all hope of fraudulent success, 

The fallen spirit with an angry frown 

The messengers addressed : " Whence come ye now, 

And what your message ? If ye hail from lands 

That sleep beyond yon sooty clouds, I- urge 

That instantly ye hasten whence ye came, 

Unless the keys of the Elysian gates 

Ye bring to me its lord who here reign wide. 

Par wider than your thoughts e'er dared to rove. 

An army thicker than the stars of heaven, 

Raining like them the dread fatalities 

Nor prayer nor shield can slant aside ; 

Burning to chase my high commands with deeds 

The daringest hope would sicken to behold. 

Waits now upon my word. ■ If that fair realm 

Ye yield at once with humble haste ; some clime 

Equally fair, delectable and sweet 

In my vast, rich dominions, I'll confer, 

In sure, indelible deed for e'er. 

If ye refuse, then chaos wild shall reap 

The fruit of your insane denial ; and 

With flaming wing shall to th' infernal deeps 

Sweep down your palaces and bowers of bliss 

And ye yourselves, perchance, amid the wreck." 

Then Sampson answered the chief fiend in brief : 

" Both thee and thy proposals we disdain ! 

Think not. Apostate, that we come to sue 

Thy mercy or to proffer to thy hands 

Stained with the treason of uplifted arms 

Against the Source of power that goodly land 



70 THESHADOWYLAND. 

By mighty seraphim and spirits walled 

And the Strength Sublime of Heaven's high adamant word. 

We come thy wild audacity to warn, 

Lest, with a vain presumption filled, thou tread'st 

Too near the consecrated soil, and prompt'st 

The deadly sword of vengeance to forget 

Its sheath-wrapt slumbers and her curse to pour 

Its secret desolations on thy head 

Not unforgetful of departed hours 

That curbed thy pride with reins of galling force, 

With th' fierce crack and lash of th' lightning's whip 

Driven headlong in unutterable dismay 

Into the black abyss." Then Satan wroth 

To find his falsehoods, though with gracious spice 

So seasoned, utterly contemned, replied. 

Smothering his wrath : 

" Sampson, once renown'd 
On earth for strength, think not thy human force 
Worthy of vaunting or to warrant words 
So insolently threat'ning 'gainst the Power 
To whom inscrutable Fate hath now 
This awful universe below assigned, wherein 
I reign acknowledged god ; allotment wise 
Which we nor could (and would not now) resist ; 
Nor, Fate's decrees confessed, doth now dispute 
The Heavenly Monarch great this rule, but yields 
To Destiny supreme her matchless right. 
And must prepare ere long His ancient throne 
To yield at her high bidding for a seat 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 71 

Of lesser glory in the sky of state ; 
Then I, disdainful not of change, will fill 
His abdicated seat in Heaven, while roll 
Uncounted centuries ; and if ye will, 
A fair domain in its delicious climes 
Shall recompense you for the loss of this, 
Which th' treacherous blaze of elements below 
Now threatens with a ruin sure and wild. 
I therefore urge in your unlearned ears 
That ye with haste resign that doomed trust 
(Too long permitted,) and accept with thanks 
My generous offer, marshalling your sons 
Beneath my bright ascending star and flag." 
Thus Satan spake, while cunning allies hid 
Their flags ensymbol'd of infernal war, 
And 'round his gorgeous chariot they waved 
His archangelic ensign * deck'd with views 
Of his celestial palaces, now lost. 
The scenes of history supernal and the blaze 
Of golden fringes starred with jewels rare. 
Then suddenly forth came at wink 
Of their swart Sovereign Spirits notorious, 
Who, knowing by expressive glance his wish, — 
To gild his falsehood with the sheen of truth 
Before him prostrate fell ; and thus besought : 
" glorious King, whom mightiest Fate ordains 
The monarch of the skies, to rule ere long 
Amid the blush of everlasting day ; 

• " Th' imperial ensign " &c., " With gems and golden lustre rich em- 
blazed." — Milton. 



72 THESHADOWYLAND. 

We come to ask thy high permission now 

(Since morning hath her pearly palette set 

With those fair hues with which she paints the world) 

To leave, ambassadors for Paradise, 

To warn its habitants and tender all 

Thy gracious offers. From the distant verge 

Of our vast, peaceful army we beheld 

Her angel guard beside the portals stand, 

Seeming to beckon our approach." 

To them 
Th' Apostate wily briefly gave response : 
" That mission which ye seek were useless now ; 
Behold Elysium hath sent out to us 
Her noblest legates, as 'twas meet." Then stared 
The infernal lords who offered this request 
Unto their Prince, affecting great surprise. 
But David, glancing thro' their veiled designs. 
Thus for the three made answer. " If such glow 
Of pure and generous ardor towards our realm 
Now holds possession of your hearts, we ask 
Why that contemptuous, martial mood that marked 
Your second speech '( Truth holds consistency. 
And wherefore that equipment strange, 
Befitting war's resounding field and grim 
With threats of infamous onset 'gainst our towers. 
Beyond whose glittering barriers Peace 
Hath made her shelter'd and embower'd nest, 
Where inoffensive purity resides ? 
Your fraud thro' all device is seen. 



THESHADOWYLAND. 73 

If fraud and falsehoods gave security, 

And yours were changed into the stones that form 

A battlemented castle or a tower, 

Then wert thou safe 'gainst all the lower powers 

(Should they the alarum sound and make attack,) 

As if ensconsed behind stupendous walls 

And massive masonry which makes hope faint 

In every soul that dreameth of assault. 

And what is " Fate " but God's decree pronounced 

Upon fore-knowledge of the good and bad 

In outward or in inward acts evinced ? 

The voice of God shall yet pronounce Christ heir 

Of Heaven's serene magnificence, and wills 

The glories of thy sceptre lost to die 

In the murk infamy of thy low caves. 

The prisons of the damn'd. Not truly learned 

In theories of the Grecian sage, or lore 

Whispered among Osiris' Memphian priests ; 

Yet not unletter'd in God's holy word, 

Mirror of wisdom and prophetic truth ; 

Therein we read thou at the heart of Truth 

Pierceth with venomous serpent-fangs, its power 

To sicken and make weak with poisonous lies 

That break out in the deadly sores of dark. 

Polluting heresies ; we read that thou 

Rejoiceth in the ruin of mankind, art then 

Most glad when in thy snares the righteous trip ; 

That " thro' thy envy* death came in the world " 

Shadowing life's currents with his sombre wings ; 

• Apocrypha. 



74 THESHADOWYLAND. 

That " they who to thy side do hold find death," 

A bitter and an endless wo ; we read 

That they who would beneath the palms 

Where life and victory shall their jubilee keep 

Sit in immortal freedom, honor, peace, 

Must quell each thought of vain ambition, spurn 

At every falsehood, and love truth and God, 

And on th' ensanguined altar of his love — 

Of his rich mercy, lay their trusting hearts. 

And therefore though confessing that thou here 

Beneath his rule supreme art titled now 

By fallen ones like thee as demon-prince, 

Yet not upon that star of night, that eye 

Of brilliancy and beauty on the face 

Of sable Hades, — fair, sweet Paradise, 

Do we admit thy power : Our Lordly Son 

Is there y' chanted Prince ; His conquering power 

Hereafter shall upon thy serpent head 

Tread with a crushing weight, foretokening chains 

And murky, wretched prisonment, thy fate." 

Then Satan flaming with malignant wrath 
Hurled thus his fury in their face : " Cease now, 
Ye spies most impudent of speech ! retract 
Your silly insolence ; or, by the Stygian deep ! 
I swear your espionage and spouted filth 
Of witless scorn against my hallowed throne 
Shall prove your hopeless ruin. In yon gulf 
That scoffs with angry breath at th' pomp of Day, 
Down plung'd in burning chains and there bemazed 



THESHADOWYLAND. 75 

In the black labyrinths of eternal night 
Where furies armed with scorpion-scourges yell, 
And breathe a triple horror o'er the soul, 
There shall ye mourn your folly and contempt ; 
Convulsed in pain and wild remorse, regret 
That comes, alas ! too late to all there bound." 

Then Sampson, feeling in his mighty soul 

The stir of strength transporting, doubted not 

At least to baffle his infernal force, 

But called in secret on the Source of power : 

Thus called they all. Nor did Judea's king 

Before whose face Philistia's champion fell 

As falls some giant pine by whirlwinds snapp'd 

Making the earth to shudder with afiright, — 

Nor did th' heroic poet-king, altho' 

At first not unappall'd, his courage miss : 

Tho' in their sight the guards with flashing eyes, 

Frowning in demon malice, waved their spears 

Dripping with liquid fire from Phlegethon 

And venom of its deathless snakes. Resolved 

The aid of all his terrors to compel. 

An awful darkness Satan summon'd forth 

From his inferior realms where imps, thus charged, 

Glutting their fiery caverns with huge heaps 

Of bitumen and pitch, defiled with clouds 

Of suffocating blackness all the air. 

Then forth upon the artificial night 

Up sail'd a choir of many-formed imps, * 

* Tbeii many forms may intimate to us the varied moral deformities to 
which sia brings angels as well as men. 



76 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Screeching most horrible discord, while they clanked 
Their sulphur-dripping chains and clashed in air 
Their battle-axes and their two-edged swords. 
So, on the earth, while pure and searching day 
Upon the hemisphere looks down, the band 
Of elves and ghosts that love the starlight faint 
(If true were tales rehearsed at dusky eve,) 
Crouch down in sunless pits, in caves and tombs ; 
But when the Day forsakes the mourning sky 
That weeps in shadowy silence for her lord. 
Then saunter forth the frightful spectre-crew. 
Shrieking most dismal notes in night's murk ear. 
I am reminded how amid the cloud 
Which the dark genius of intemperance 
Sends up the brain to fill, the fiery shapes 
Of angry thoughts and warlike feuds ascend 
To hold dire riot 'mid th' unnatural gloom. 
The sun withdrew his beams ; and lurid fires 
Darting amid the smoke of Tartarus 
Seem'd threat'ning now to wrap the heroes three 
Who stood as yet before the Apostate's seat, 
Nor knew amid that hell-born gloom the way 
Back to the gates of Paradise. 

But now 
While doubting what this horrid horde might dare. 
Resolved e'en with their monarch to contend 
And hurl against his mail the blazing rocks 
Which fell at times as if upwhirled from hell 
By fierce explosions, they beheld a shape 



THESHADOWYLAND. 77 

In lovely lustre smiling ; from his wings 

The foul smoke shrank, they fancied. Rich robes waved 

About his noble form as thus he spake : 

" Sampson, wherefore dost thou deem thy strength 

Worthy of trial 'gainst the armed might 

Of Hell's dread sovereign and his legions dense. 

' Can iron cut the Northern iron and steel,' 

Or feeble breath arrest the tempest dark 

Which makes the waves its playthings and the pines, 

Sowing destruction as the clouds the snow ? 

True, thou didst shake thy glorious, forceful locks 

A conqueror majestic while on earth : 

Gaza thy strength acknowledged ; and thy death, 

Whose monument was a ruin grand and strange, 

Crowded the gateways to the Hadean shades. 

But these were earthly forces, earthly foes. 

'Tis well my swiftest flight was hither urged 

To warn and guide you hence. Let us depart." 

So saying, he led on their steps ; the gloom, 

Chased by the glory of a torch he bore 

Fled as before Aurora's path ; but rage 

Darkened with angrier frowns behind ; and soon 

The guards around the Apostate's throne with fire 

And burning chains and barbed darts pursued 

Their flight beside their guide ; but he a glance 

Severe and earnest flashed against their souls 

And they shrank back abashed, as if becharmed 

By virtue's sacred glory. Wondering, glad 

To see such malice thus so easy foiled. 

The three their Avay pursued. Meanwhile their guide 



78 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Discours'd in innocent strain of Paradise, 

And questioned them what feelings stirr'd when heard 

The rumor of this mighty, warlike march j 

What preparations and what hopes were framed : 

Then of their embassy he asked, and how 

The Apostate had received their warning words ; 

A fiery stream of censure next he poured 

Upon this impious, reckless horde ; but still 

He disallowed a right with scornful words 

T' annoy their lofty sense of station high 

And fire the anger of their lords : but well 

Most readily, he would admit, it was 

With virtuous, horror-stricken force their guilt 

To boldly censure, e'en amid their state. 

If that bold chiding of their crimes thus spoken 

Was savored with respect for dignities, 

Which they are yet permitted to retain. " But how," 

Enquired their guide, " did your warm lips address 

Th' Arch-fiend himself; I trust with proper tone 

And attributes becoming his high place ; 

For he once, 'mid the quenchless blaze of Heaven, 

Exalted near to God his glorious brows 

And caught from Majesty Divine decrees 

Which myriads from his arch-angelic lips 

With reverence received : And Michael e'en 

Rails not with scorn against the fallen god 

But mildly answers when by him opposed, 

' Satan the Lord rebuke thee !' and as all 

Who follow not his pure example lose 

Their power against the enemies of truth, 



THESHADOWYLAND. 79 



If e'er in battle they contend, (a great 
And manifest dishonor,) — I advise you now, 
If ye with hasty, scornful words have spoken, 
At once, under my safeguard, to return 
And with an attitude of meek respect 
Your rashness to retract. Then will we haste 
Swift as the dart, or bird unto her young, 
Or as a prayer from a saint's lips to heaven, 
And I will place your feet again beside. 
Your towers of strength and glory." 

But now 
While still advancing through the reddening gloom, 
A form uncouth appeared : dim first it loomed 
Upon the eye, and in their path it rose : 
Some shape of lifeless nature, or some living thing 
Grew more and more distinct. Advancing soon, 
A swart and frowning fiend too well 
They could discern : armed with a javelin tipt 
With sulphurous fire he stood ; and by his mien 
And attitude defiance flung. Nor words 
Long wanted he ; but soon a torrent fierce 
Of furious invective hurled against them, whilst, 
Quick fluttering through the air, two demons more 
Alighted by his side. " Ye miscreants, stand !" 
Cried out the goblin stern : " This way, know ye, 
Pertains unto the sovereignty of Hell. 
Near by, the porches of his palace ope 
Upon the sight, and his dark court is held. 
If ye, base, skulking spies ! would have me here 



80 THESHADOWYLAND. 



Empty all pleasure from your 'souls, as wine 
Is spilled out from th' overturned cup, draw on. 
Speed ye on swiftest feet to your own lands ! 
Or, by the sceptre of the Prince of night ! 
In the black dungeons of deep Erebus 
I'll bind your lingering limbs in prisonment : 
There shall your spirits drink unto the full 
Of blighting miseries too well deserved 
By those whose office is as vile as yours ; 
There shall ye chant the dirge of tombed hope. 
Hence ! speed without delay ! out, hideous blots, 
From this clean page this instant ! nor offend 
Our honorable eyes one moment more : 
And this shall teach you prudence and despatch." 
Thus saying, quick as thought he hurled a dart 
Flaming and weighty which had well nigh struck 
The monarch-minstrel's breast ; but he a shield 
Graved with the motto of unfailing faith 
Bore dextrously before him, and so foiled 
The burning malice of the foe. But now 
Their guide, advancing, thus their enemies 
In brief addressed : " Ye fallen ones, so high 
Runs now the tide of your presumption that 
Ye dare to hope with me to cope, — to engage 
Your force (by foul corruption ravish'd now 
Of half its pristine energy,) to engage, I say, 
The eclipsed glory of your demon strength 
With the unsmitten grandeur of the power 
Which dwelleth in an angel's arm ? Retire, 
Presuming spirits, and in night's deep shades 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 81 

Plunge hurriedly ere my puissant lance 

Sheds agonies lightning-wing'd throughout your frames !" 

This hearing, tremblingly they shrank and spread 

Upon the dusky, lurid air their wings, 

And vanished with a parting curse ; as flees 

A turbulent cloud which scowls o'er earth at eve, 

Which, hurling one red bolt with clamorous wrath, 

Is swept away upon the horizon's verge 

And mutters in the distance where its form 

Is swallowed from the sight. 

The foes no more 
Glaring defiance and with martial fire 
Contesting their advance, the legates three. 
Expressed their wonder and their joy to find 
Their furious adversaries thus dismayed 
And they themselves now free without a blow. 
Then to the former question of their guide 
Gave Joshua answer thus : " We did indeed 
Condemn both Satan and his profier ; sure 
Such falsehoods base and wickedness supreme 
Mightiest reproof deserve ; yet, if with scorn 
We there had thoughtlessly supplanted forms 
Due unto reverent principle (which rank 
And power doth always honor till adjudged 
And downward cast to infamy and chains,) 
We should be willing now such deference 
To ofter : To him apology we should not shrink 
To yield with language decorous, if still 
The sceptre of his principality remained 
6 



82 ^THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Grasp'd by his black and treasonable hand. 

While office yet invested iR^ith her mantle rich 

We should a fitting toll of honor give : 

But he hath fall'n from heaven and from his state 

As falls a bright star * from the brow of dawn 

Engulfed in stormy clouds below ; 

Or as a towering oak on a beetling clitf 

Falls lightning-struck into a boisterous flood 

Which sweeps it onward towards a dark, wide gulf, 

Its ducal stateliness forever gone." 

" All true," responded then their guide ; 

" But there are known amenities which all 

Should ever bear in mind. And you wnll ne'er 

Regret retracting aught discourteous 

That hath in time unguarded slipt the mouth, 

As prison'd bird or school-tired youth which dart 

From out their prison when the door is oped. 

But come ! now let us haste ; I know a path 

Which leads the steps unto another gate 

Of fair Elysium ; it passes nigh 

The camp of Satan ; that shall be our road ; 

Nearer or if not nearer, easier is that way." 

Then following their eager, hurrying guide, 

Both David and the Son of Strength resumed 

With Joshua their steps back towards the seat 

Of Lucifer still wrapt in clouds as black 

As the canopy of Night's sad throne when dense 

And thickening volumes fill the moonless sky. 

Their fair-robed guide again their audience claimed 

* Isaiah IV, 12, referring, doubtless,' to the King of Babylon. 



THESHADOWYLAND.« 83 

How glorious on his high, imperial seat, 
Adorned with dazzling gems of various hues 
The sovereign of Hell appear'd ! I well 
Remember him when yet unfall'n in heaven ; 
One day his legions from the boundless fields 
He gather'd by his golden, echoing trump 
To his grand court of truth : as birds of heaven 
Flocked to the ark of Noah, or snow flakes shower 
On the rude crown of Lebanon's hoary head, 
So thickly did they rush at his high call. 
First God was praised in anthems sweet ; then he, 
Loftiest of angels, form'd their sounding theme : 
His full-voiced honors then he proved most just. 
Designless, while his searching mind displayed 
The mysteries of some beautiful work of God 
Still sweet and glowing with His breath : but then 
Scarcely more noble Satan in his mien. 
Nor girt with brighter symbols of his power 
Than when we lately saw him. As our God 
Allows him this magnificence and place, 
I doubt not He will yet reset that star 
Among the Pleiades * from which it fell. 
And heaven again confess its quenchless rays. 
With this construction (which we scarce can 'scape) 
'Tis fitting that superior honor now 
Should to his rank be offered who doth aild 
The dark cloud of these shades of death below 
With the rich lustres of his princely state. 
Here honor should be rendered not unlike 

* There,vvere seven archangels, it was, I believe, sui)i)Osecl. 



84 THESHADOWYLAND. 

The reverence the starry hosts once bowed. 

Indeed, as doth the viceroy rightly claim 

A breath of that deep homage that his lord 

The emperor receives, so here, I judge, 

Tho' we must disallow his deeds, 'tis meet, 

When we before the throne of Satan stand. 

That we should pay our homage unto rank, 

And him as Lord of this inferior world, 

Vice-gerent of the king of kings, should laud, 

Breathing one strain of that long-chanted hymn 

We utter to the fearful name of God. 

A strain so sweet (and yet not new or rare) 

To his proud spirit may attemper thoughts 

Glowing with kindliest favor towards yourselves 

And threatened Paradise, your seat ; so, soon 

By this just stroke of policy, your names 

As blest deliverers may at home be voiced. 

Embalmed thro' all time in your people's praise, 

And with th' enchanting happiness of peace 

Associated ever in their minds." 

Then of his hearers one with warmth replied : 

" Not with such fatal treason to imbrue 

Our pardon'd lips did we our steps retrace, 

Following thy guidance. Now thy voice 

Counsels most rank idolatry, to stain 

Our spotless vesture with such Heaven-loathed crime 

That Heaven's immaculate gates would e'er be lock'd 

Against our spirits when the Prince of life 

Leads in his ransomed train. Thy words proclaim 

To Belzebub thy vassalage ! avaunt ! 



THESHADOWYLAND. 85 

Thou emissary from his hated camp, array'd 

In radiant mockeries of an angel pure ; 

Apple of Sodom with deceitful bloom ; 

A mirage false ; a gemm'd and glittering sword 

Wedded to havoc tho' in splendor drest ; 

The lightning's beauteous flash ; the spangled sheen 

Of billows bursting o'er the ruinous rocks !" * 

Discover'd thus, the imp his luminous wings 

Spread flying towards his monarch's shrouded seat, 

Nor ventured e'en one syllable's response, 

Chagrin'd to find his snares of no avail. 

Then while his comrades joyed their rage to have 'scaped, 

Thro' their own cunning thus completely foiled, 

Manoah's son his steps apart betook, 

Seeking amid the hell-risen gloom the strait 

Which separated Paradise ; from thence 

He hoped by signal given some winged ones, 

The angel guests of blest Elysium, 

To summon to their aid that they might cross 

Harmless the bridgeless gulf of stifling flames. 

Not unobserved was he by other eyes 

Peering above the chasm's smouldering verge. 

Like alligators fell or hideous snakes 

Lifting their heads above the turbid stream. 

His enemies uprais'd their watchful fronts ; 

And when above a hollow'd passage, he. 

Pausing a moment, stood, they dashed aside 

What propp'd the natural trap-door. Down he fell, 

* This is, of course, a license, like some other lineaments of this poem ; 
for, the righteous must not be supposed as under temptation after death. 



86 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Whelm'd and confounded in the sudden fall ;* 

But would have risen and from his forceful limbs 

Shaken the cumbrous rubbish as if leaves ; 

Nor (may we borrow from the classic myth ?) — 

Nor like Cajneus, once Thessalian maid, 

Had helpless lain entomb'd till, chang'd and wing'd, 

The boundless air to freedom did invite : 

But his ensnarers, gloating o'er success, 

A net of massive steel about him cast 

And chains of adamantine strength, 

Or what the anti-types of those appeared. 

Then, lest awaking from his stunned trance 

He should his earthly triumphs there repeat 

And make wild havoc with his shatter'd bonds. 

With flying speed adown the vault they bear 

Their prize, confounded, not in pain : they flew 

Hurrying their captive thro' the cavern's gloom 

Till at the massive gates of iron, brass 

And triple adamant they paused. The doors 

A score of lusty demons, tugging, ope ; 

B,evealing to the misty light the cells 

Hollowed in solid rock where earthly hope 

Would 've gasped at once in death. Two forms 

Which lions seemed or dogs of hateful mien, 

Dread as the cave of Cacus hung with skulls 

• See the other note : The leading features of this production must be 
regarded as shadowing forth truths of fearful and sublime importance ; as, 
for instance, that the conduct of men consigns them to widely different des- 
tinies ; that some, by reason of their faith associated with good works, are 
reserved in the Divine guardianship for salvation eternal ; while others are 
shut up unto a future sentence of everlasting wo. 



THESHADOWYLAND. 87 

And carpeted with clotted blood, or monster fierce 
That foamed in Erymanthus (safely bound 
In time by great Alcides) ; these with yells 
And furious onset sprang upon the net 
Straining their rattling chains : but master-imps 
Reproved their fury, and aside they skulk'd 
To guard the entrance with unslumbering zeal.* 
The prize there placed in chains, with joy 
They turned the ponderous keys and urged 
The many bolts, rolling huge, stubborn rocks 
Against the doors that seemed like Fate's dark bonds 
Indissolubly firm. 

Two angels true 
Meanwhile upon the sight of David burst, 
Cleaving afar the clouds. Their radiant hands 
Two signet-rings, their high commission's proof. 
Wore visibly. They hailed the chosen two 
Seeking Elysium, and bade them haste. 
But they beholding now no more their friend 
And late companion, Sampson, urged at once 
A keen-eyed search ; to this they listen' d ; search 
In vain for him was made : " now hence," said they, 
" For God did charge your conduct quickly back ; 
And doubtless Sampson either now awaits 
Your own return beyond the infernal moat ; 
Or Heaven hath its purpose that he here 

* TJubelief and want of sacred principle lead on, in some cases, to such 
impious turi)itude and violence that even the wicked are obliged to restrain 
those who are morally so deformed. 



THE SHADOWY LAND 



Should wander for a time : The ways of Heaven 

Are wise and holy, good and true ; His love 

Wings spirit messengers to do His will 

And minister to His saints ; like perfumed winds 

Born in a tropic clime they come, like them 

To mortals viewless oft.* Thus spake their guides 

And proved their angel natures, rising far 

Above the smoke of Hell and bearing swift 

Thro' arrowless air their welcome charge ; 

But when some boldest fiends their flight 

Directed towards th' Elysian towers, the guards 

Of heavenly spirits shining by the gate 

Or hovering in the air, discharged their shafts, 

Piercing the foe with bitter pains ; who fled, 

Enduring henceforth rather their dread lot 

Than snatching after bliss like that. Nor yet 

With any force of numbers had they dared 

To face the dangers of that field ; for, fresh 

The reminiscence of their rout in heaven 

Long warned with branded vividness, but time 

Scarr'd o'er the wounds of their defeat and drown'd 

Those throbs of pain in new and other woes.f 

And as for those unransomed earth-born souls, 

The hot, Tartarean smoke they scarce could breathe. 

* The mention of this Scriptural idea (vide Heb. I, 14,) must by no 
means be understood to countenance the idea that departed human spirits 
communicate with men, or that the seelcing unto the spirits of the dead or 
to angels is excusable. The same is in Scripture denounced as an " abomi- 
nation." 

t The seeds which disobedience sows spring up and bear fruit, some 
sooner than others. 



THESHADOWYLAND. 89 

Nor o'er that hideous chasm could they bound ; 
And when, long since, their eager art essayed 
A bridge across that gulf, the crumbling edge 
Sank like a quicksand and refused support, 
While dark Gehenna swallowed up their pains. 



END OF BOOK SECOND. 



90 THE SHADOWY LAND. 



BOOK THIRD 



No sooner had his minion in disguise 
Announced his failure than the Prince of Hell, 
Who 'd hoped to have snared the three to acts 
Worthy of banishment from Paradise 
Or stern rebuke, urged on his martial schemes. 
And God, whose glance flashed o'er all worlds, 
Read all his plots and still his course allowed : 
And had allowed because He had foreseen 
His servants unentangled by their snares. 
Else unpermitted to the approved ; e'en then 
To few scarce ever ; probation is on earth. 
The fiend in various trickeries of deceit 
Had ventured to repose a hope, and built 
Upon the quicksand basis of base lies 
His dreams of empire widened and revenge, 
As well as in assault ; he now resolved 
To try that last resort. The summons flew 
Among his subjects of the brazenest cast 
To seek at once his throne. Their bronzed forms 
Soon 'mid the plumed aristocrats of Hell 
Appeared with eagerness and watchful life ; 
The merit claiming of obedience quick, 
Tho', rather, spurr'd by hope of wild emprize, 
Some new, exciting voyage from the port 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 91 

Of custom dull than from regard to law 

Or dread of his displeasure ; (they who part 

With love and saintly virtue, bid farewell 

At the same moment to sweet happiness 

Whose shaded countenance and dying smile 

Melt from the spirit's sight away : hence life 

To them was dull or wretched.) Then an imp 

Who banner'd trumpet bore stept forth and told 

The newly summoned wherefore called. They heard 

Eager th' intelligence and sped to act. 

Some, plunging in the dark abyss, enraged 

The fires 'neath Paradise in hell to fierce 

And dreadful inflammation, whose black fumes 

Shrouded all Erebus in treble night : 

Thus they had hoped that sweetly slumbering world 

Above the red confusion to have rocked. 

Shaken with earthquakes wild, and in dismay 

Palling an easier prey. And meanwhile some 

Threading the caverns in the rocky sides 

Of Elysium's foundations, mined with haste 

To lay their treacherous, explosive stuff 

(Unknown e'en now on earth ; though matched, alas !) 

All ready for the dread, important spark. 

Others, a numerous host, prepared a bridge 

Or solid flooring that a bridge might prove, 

Covered secure from choking fumes and airs 

Breathed flamingly from hell ; then each his part 

Prepared at notice due to act with zeal 

And strength the hardiest in Orcan realms. 



92 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 



Then Satan, glancing o'er the armed hosts, 
Gave from his flashing chariot his commands ; 
And swift his peers across the fields moved on 
Longing for change of life ; while the loud peal 
From rich-voiced trumpets, wrought to lend 
Their airy poetry to war and blow the breath 
Of martial animation, told afar 
The hour of battle was at hand. Before his seat 
The marshalled legions passed with waving flags 
And honorary music ; and the bands 
To that rude work appointed, pushed or drew 
Those mighty engines which the skill of Earth 
Or cunning craft of Hell had planned. 
Some seemed like towers wherein a daring horde 
Heated their javelins, or the infuriate torch 
With pitch and sulphur smeared for close assault 

"When reached the distant walls, (if e'er those walls 
Could by a bridge be neared) ; and some the type 
Of engines known in aftertimes on earth, 

Though first devised by Satan in the field 

Ere from the heights of glory flung deep-struck 

With mortification and the scathe of fire. 

And others seemed adapted to force far 

Into the air a stream of liquid fire 

Horribly ruinous to all which might 

Of hellish flames the prey become. 

And soon 
Moving in order near the burning verge 
Where through the glow or intermitted smoke 



THESHADOWYLAND. 93 

The Elysian towers appeared, the van 

Halted at distance fit ; and then an imp 

With summons to surrender skimmed the cloud 

And neared* Paradise by snowy flag ; 

But met with prompt refusal : thence he sped 

The expected word to give ; whereat a roar 

From all their grim artillery appalled 

E'en Hell itself; and to the lowest shores 

Of sable Erebus its echoes rolled, 

Far murmuring at their close down caves of Night. 

Elysium trembled thro' her holy shades, 

Or would have trembled but for hope divine ; 

Such horrid uproar never having torn 

Its way to every ear. Nor Warsaw near 

Did Diebitsch by his batteries create 

Such deafening din ; nor Waterloo's dread fray 

So shake both heaven and earth, when fell 

Ambition's strong and daring son, his star 

Quenched in another tide of blood and woe 

Whose circling wave in sorrow spread afar. 

Then Adam to the patriarchs spake in words 

Like these which follow : See, sons, what skill 

In all abhorred inventions these hell-doomed 

And scornful trespassers display. The walls 

Magnificently strong of Paradise 

Quaked at their dread discharge ; and fiery streams 



* "Neared," not entered. They wlio forfeit happiness and heaven by 
sin and unbelief are exiled forever from the light and joy of eternal life. 
How precious are the hours of probation ! Reader, let not that exile be 
thine ! 



94 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Flooded our battlements and drove aside 
The sentinels from their stations ; but have hope ; 
(This is her radiant home !) and God shall show- 
That arm puissant which o'erwhelmed their ranks 
Down from Heaven's flowery verge, and hollowed out 
Their dismal jail, gorging its opened jaws 
With their confounded hosts. For, can His eye 
Behold our danger and his anger sleep 
And jealousy and pity. Will his power 
Allow the banners of the rebel crew 
To flout insultingly our skies which gaze 
On us sad exiles meanwhile from this realm. 
Its hallowed fanes astonished at their voice 
And echoing with their rites profane of joy 
While they regale themselves 'neath deathless bowers 
And flood their throats with nectars worthy heaven ? 
Will God permit those who have scorned thro' time 
The teachings and the ofiers of his love 
And dashed aside salvation's profiered cup 
And its sweet, healing leaves — will He 
Permit such rebels and such scoffers old 
Here in the summery sea of our delight 
To bathe their spirits which ijow hell's dread fires 
Breathing o'er them, their fervors wrap in pain : 
Tossed, since their coming to this lower world, 
Upon the restless waves of shame, and stung 
By torments of infernal doom e'en then begun, 
They fain from sorrow's tyranny would rush 
And hope within these walls relief to find. 
Let prayer be constant, and forget not all 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 95 

To throng the citadel of holy trust, 

Our mightiest defence ; and let our guests 

(Invulnerable spirits) on the walls their stand 

With virtue's awful arms and glorious might 

Courageously assume ; let all who hold 

The gift heaven-loaned for high and holy ends, 

A power o'er air, its progeny of fire 

And vapors black, compel unto alliance 

Their wond'rous energies. Thus Adam spake, 

And all approved his words. From bended bow, 

Balistas, catapults and slings forth rushed 

The instruments of ruin, and their foes 

The power of their response confessed at heart ; 

And soon, indeed, wild fright convulsed their ranks, 

When certain gases loaded with ripe store 

Of elemental fury burst in flame, 

Showering hot meteors thick amid their hosts, 

Exploding 'mongst them with malignant fire 

Like bolts from summer storms. Then frighted fled 

Thousands who deemed Heaven's King in wrath again 

Had from his cloudy armory his lightning-darts 

Snatched for the avenging hour : so vivid yet 

The memory of Christ's bright onset burned 

(The onset which relieved abhorring heaven,) 

That they all wish at once resigned of fame 

Gained in such dreadful, havoc-making fray, 

And fled, believing that the tramp of hosts 

Following their footsteps and the peals of war 

Heard in the distance, were the ominous roar 

Of thunders sounding the wild notes of doom. 



96 THESHADOWYLAND, 

But yet so great a host their flashing clouds 

Rolled 'round their Phoebus that this loss scarce showed 

A chasm in the throng. And soon, again, 

Loud pealed their engines hurling monstrous stones 

And globes with bristling darts becharged, 

Hell-fire and every flaming fright 

That could a fortress rend, or shake the calm 

Of Virtue's soul heroic. Fast and thick 

As hail-stones from an August cloud 

Blown by a Northern blast, there flashed again 

From batteries Elysian sparkling showers 

Of meteoric stones with sulphur fired 

And furious phosphorus, (such it seemed.) 

Then Satan to his compeers thus aloud 

Uttered his gratulations and his fears : 

" mighty warriors, brave indeed and grand 

The storm which now on Paradise doth beat, 

As when the gale-lashed waves of Phlegethon 

In roaring bursts sublime assault the rocks : 

But yet with firmness and with skill their guards 

Direct their fires mysterious, crumbling down 

Full many a warlike structure in our midst 

And torturing thousands, — see ! now whence this gloom 

Darker than night, wide-rolling o'er the field ? 

Doth Hell her hideous blackness vomit forth 

To aid our cause ? So wide and dense a night 

Must needs arrest our arms. Go ! speed at once ; 

And if the flames that shed so thick a gloom 

Can now be dampened, let the word be given. 

But stop ! the darkness opens ! see afar 



THESHADOWYLAND. 97 

Elysium's walls again, though scarcely where 
The wildered mind expected ; surely now 
Our batteries will not silence keep, and grant 
Unasked cessation. There ! the flash again 
Pierces th' infernal shade !" Then Moloch bold 
His counsels urged : " Illustrious Prince ! 
Why thus delay our armies on this field 
So distant from the mark ? behold ! the prize 
Sparkles invitingly, and we the means 
Whereby yon charming glories may be reached 
Most surely want not : and perchance, when gained. 
We may compel the secret of their fire. 
So like the lightning's riotous play, and match 
God's blasting thunderbolts on the daring verge 
Of Heaven itself. For me, I count not lost 
What once beheld our glory, while I know 
Eternal change on all things waits ; and power 
May totter in its golden capital ; the heart 
Once loyal may estrange its love ; and fate 
Her awful characters may write above 
The thrones esteemed supreme and raised on high 
Far o'er the shadow of a doubt, (as dream 
The trembling million.)" Thus deluded, he 
His hopes did utter : Meanwhile fiercely blazed 
Their batteries 'gainst each other ; on the heights 
Their own division seen amid the smoke 
Seemed mounted on the walls of Paradise, 
The enemy's force ; while unto them appeared 
With similar delusive front the ranks 
Nearer their sovereign, as erst designed 
7 



98 THESHADOWYLAND. 

The Sun's bright angel.* So, with savage rage, 
Witlessly pitted 'gainst each other, they 
Surfeited the air of hell with deadly storms, 
Whole squadrons sweeping down in Avrithing heaps, 
Though dreaming of prodigious havoc cast 
Among Elysium's garrison. 

Again, 
While roared this horrid discord, raised his voice 
Their prince, Apollyon ; " Warriors wise and true ! 
Ye see what desolation riots now 
Among the flower of Hell's brave chivalry ; 
And forces on our judgment now the thought 
Of flight or else assault and victory : 
For, under grievous disadvantage here 
We must the day contest. Our foes, meanwhile, 
Pluming their courage, may harass our ranks 
With hotter mischief and more cunning force, 
Th' inventions of delay. My voice is raised 
For speedy movement to the Elysian walls ; 
And there, possessed of its fair capital, 
We may amuse the rest which follows war 
With schemes of blissful empire in the climes 
On which the gentle skies of Paradise 
Shed their benignant smiles ; or else may arm 
Our gathered legions for more glorious deeds 
In plans full worthy gods. And as for flight 
Not one of all Hell's chieftains here that lend 

* Allowing the passage to remain, it must be allowed that angelic beings, 
would not become chargeable with fraud. 



THESHADOWYLAND. 99 

To this our council dignity sublime 

That base thought can one moment entertain. 

True ! to his lair again the forest-lord 

Unsatisfied and baffled may return ; 

But when the startled heavens confess the rush 

Of the lightning's rending fire, the cloud no more 

Is called to entertain its awful guest ; 

Its work of change and vengeance must be wrought." 

And then a fiend arose and won all eyes 

By port of regal pride and the high calm 

Affected of indifference supreme, 

Thoughtless of danger's darkening frown. " Your words 

Puissant king ! are worthy of your power 

And throne of archangelic dignity. 

Longer delay when climes of heavenly light 

Await our advent, were indeed absurd. 

Most surely some great error in our plans 

Has armed our legions against legions ranged 

Beneath our flag, producing hideous wreck 

Of warlike engines and dispersion foul. 

I therefore urge that orders quick command 

That signals bright, aided by dazzling torches, 

Light up this gross and dismal night and give 

The signs of high adventure near at hand. 

Rumor hath uttered that Manoah's son 

A captive unto snares awaits release 

Fast bound by adamant and chains : 

Rumor asserts his earth-born strength was faint 

Compared with his grand, present potency 



100 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Whereat the many tremble and would scarce 
The sunny smile of victory hope for 
Or her rapturing shout, were this dread foe 
To array his force majestic 'gainst our arms 
At the Elysian gates. And therefore now 
While rocky prisonment doth hold him safe, 
'Twere popular policy to make the assault." 

Thus having spoken, all approved his words. 

And Satan, while the trumpets filled the air 

With echoing music, gave his fixt decrees, 

Which fled o'er all the plain, and breathed the glow 

Of burning expectation thro' the heaving host ; 

As when upon some languid, darkling sea 

Descend the potent winds ; the watery calm 

Awakens at their call to voiceful life, 

And light that slumbered in the deep breaks forth 

With brilliant animation. Then were seen 

The hurrying onward of the armed throngs ; 

Their shields of gold and steel in that wierd glow 

Glittered afar ; and ever and anon 

Seated upon his sparkling chariot drawn 

By winged pards or fearful, mystic steeds 

Snorting bright sparks, some stern infernal prince 

Was seen upon his march along the plain. 

Borne as on wheeled altars, gorgeous fires 

A mimic day around his pageant poured ; 

And in the emblazonry and pictured pomp 

Of his escutcheon and his banner's folds 

In sparkling beauty revelled their full beams. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 101 

Behind, the countless mass in dense ranks moved, 

Their armor gleaming with the neighboring light. 

While mystic darkness reigned above and far. 

Not much unlike the scene rich, picturesque 

Mid which a royal bark superbly floats, 

When fires ascending 'round her beauteous form 

In lackeying vessels that keep company, 

Light up the fringed pavilion in her midst, 

The silken sails and flags superb unfurled ; 

While on the wave crests near the radiance plays, 

Fading more distant, till the clouds and night 

At length the plumy billows wrap in gloom 

And hold unbroken empire o'er the deep. 

Nor undistinguished in the martial crowd 

Rode in his chariot the Prince of Hell 

Whom a mailed, lance-armed guard and chosen group 

Of lordly chiefs attended. In white robes, a band 

Of imps transformed by graceful guise, arrayed 

In vestures sparkling with a myriad gems, 

Bore torches blushing with the scented blaze 

Of rare and compound oils ; while, o'er his head, 

Gold-wrought, winged seraphs lifted in their hands 

A canopy emblazed with types of power 

In costliest workmanship, unseen before 

And lately added to his regal stores. 

A mimic day reflected from th' expanse 

Doubled its glory o'er his crowned brows 

And smiled in beauty 'mid th' unnatural night. 

While marching thus, in haste a courier dashed 
Into the monarch's presence and announced 



102 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Intelligence momentous from the Earth ; 

No less than that the Son of God, Messiah, 

The victim of the Jewish rage, now filled 

With blank astonishment the darkened skies. 

Condemned to shameful death ; no sword forth drawn 

No power miraculous checking the tide 

Of sanguinary fortunes surging o'er 

The rock deemed high above the foam and swells 

Of earthly malice and terrestrial change. 

Whereat their chieftain, while a passing cloud 

Shadowed one moment his presumptuous front, 

Thus to his nobles spake : " Ye see, the word. 

Uttered in prophecy of old, to serious fact 

At length has ripened ; and Messiah boasts 

Thus lifted up to draw all men to him. 

But what course follows now appears unknown ; 

Perchance defying death's dark bondage, quick 

With fadeless glory from the cross itself 

He may step forth to claim as won 

By his heroic patience, virtue high. 

And crimson satisfaction the quenched throne 

Of Jesse's poet-son. Perchance on high 

He soars, expectant of the triumphs pledged 

To his affecting cross. Go, courier, back. 

And join thy comrades, keeping earnest w^atch 

Upon the wheels of Providence ; and bring 

Often reports of every movement seen 

In this strange crisis of the Earth ; each wave. 

And every dimple in Time's swollen stream 

Note ye with care ; and unto us report 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 103 

Whatever worthy seems our thoughts to claim ; 
Each blossom and each leaf unfolding, each 
Diseased excrescence on life's spreading tree, 
Ye watchful messengers, consider well." 
He said : and upper night that shape grotesque 
In a brief moment swallowed. 

Soon they neared 
The smouldering verge of Hell and saw beyond 
The gates of Paradise, her opal towers. 
Her shining, crystal battlements ; and grand, afar. 
The domes of massive temples ; halls sublime, 
And colonades in gorgeous, vast array. 
As they advanced, a sudden, potent wind 
Dispersed the darkness from the approaching host, 
While on their splendor and their number gazed 
Astonished Paradise. Then Joshua spake 
Breaking deep wonder's silence : " See what pomp 
Where yet the darkness lingers but delays 
Only their monarch's gorgeousness superb 
More strikingly to show ! How like a blaze 
Of sunny splendor glassed thro' vistas bright 
Of nature's icy halls ! and all within 
As sterile of sweet good. This sumptuousness 
Doth mind me of that Babylonian fame * 
. Where shrined in golden beauty, Venus smiled 
And wooed with pomp divine her votaries young ; 
While in the shade that Art's proud splendors cast 

•The history and condition of the earth is supposed to be known by re- 
ports. 



104 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Lurked the base spirit of lascivious vice. 

Gaze on that richness ! say, did harlot e'er 

Bedeck her tainted soul with grace so rare, 

Or garniture so rich and sumptuous ? 

Yet thus it pleases God to grant as yet 

This liberty unto the fallen ones 

Wherein they mock their ancient dignity." 

To him the First of men gave no reply ; 

But on their proud array intently gazed ; 

When lo ! a wonder : from the lower deep 

Uprose a thousand strong, colossal shapes 

Parting the smoke and flame with whirring wings. 

Swift to the shadowy shores of Hell they flew. 

And bore forth thence into the light of day 

A bridge with arches of apparent strength. 

Each as a pillar volant thro' the air 

Supported well his part to where the steam 

And smoke of deep Gehenna rose less thick, 

Offending shrinking day. Their burden huge 

They rest 'gainst the doubtful edge of Hell 

And on th' Elsyian verge ; upholding still 

The roofed and close-screened structure with a force 

As wonderful as when the heavenly hills 

Were lifted by the warring hosts of God 

And flung roaring with speed against their foes. 

Amazement filled Elysium's habitants. 

But terror none : Then thus the patriarch spake : 

" May Heaven defend ! what do mine eyes behold ! 

Now comes the fiery heart of war j all else 

Was but the distant pulse, tho' hot and fast : 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 105 

The last act of the drama opes. Away !" 
(He to the heralds urged,) " go bid the trump 
Summon all, courage-armed for action close, 
To join us near the gates ; nor be forgot 
Redoubled prayers in every blessed fane ! 
Nor the due wish benign that our mad foes 
May yet forego the phrenzied wickedness, 
Nor for a harvest of more flaming wrath 
The fields of conflict sow with burning coals." 

Nor then sweet, lovely being Eve, (the queen 

Of the hallowed flowers of beauty, pure 

From every mortal stain,) nor then didst thou 

Forget in thy full tears to woo the grace 

Of pitying heaven, reproaching thy fair self 

First author of man's woes and bondage dim 

Far 'neath the light of bliss divine. In twilight fane 

Thou with famed Myriam chanting earnest prayers 

And Sarah, Rachel, Daniel mild and warm * 

"With heavenly ardors, supplications voiced 

Towards the e'er-listening ear ; a lovely group 

Apart from all th' impetuous rush, the clash 

Of armor and the war -trump's stirring clang ; 

So have I seen in some sequestered nook. 

Aside from where a swollen current raged. 

The waters in a glassy brightness sleep, 

Lovely with slumbering lilies and the light 

Of Heaven's reflected face in blameless lines. 

END OP BOOK THIRD, 



106 THE SHADOWY LAND. 



BOOK FOURTH. 



Meanwhile Manoah's son in prison drear, 

Though long entranced, perchance thro' opiate charms 

Poured o'er him by his captors, woke to find 

Darkness supreme and chain work 'round him cast. 

Then thus aloud he to his God exclaimed : 

" King Divine, for what crude act have I 

Thy pleasure forfeited and won these chains 

And this benighted prisonment. In truth 

For thine own honor and the common good 

Of those Thou lovest in Paradise, I trod 

The fatal soil of Hell to warn those clouds 

Of vultures to beware of that blest fold 

Where o'er the ransomed lion-hearted ones 

Maintain eternal watch ; while their fit prey 

Is where corruption reigns. And have I stained 

The day-light of my soul with sin's dark cloud ;* 

Or hast Thou in Thy wisdom but allowed 

And not approved as punishment well due 

This snare and bondage. Then that glorious power 

In ripened grandeur which I still possess 

May be my rescuing legion ; if, indeed, 

* Sampson's history exliibits sad moral delinquency on one or more 
occasions ; it is not easy to ascertain whether he was truly at last a righteous 
man. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 107 

Aught save the melting touch of angels charged 

With sought deliverance can this hour avail." 

Thus saying, he aroused his strength and stirred 

The awful energies long slumbering deep 

In his colossal spirit-form : as when pent winds 

Long locked in caves of Earth, awake at length 

And rend all barriers with infuriate power. 

With dire dismay to all the breathing world ; 

Or as some fire volcanic bursts at last 

From slumbers centuries had seemed to 've sealed, 

With wild, tempestuous fury heaving high 

The astonished plains and falling cities, hurled 

To hopeless desolation. At this stir 

And rattling of his snapping chains, the shapes 

Which guarded (fast within,) his rayless cave 
A hideous yelling uttered, startling far 
For leagues around the dark domain of Hell. 
The fire as 't were, upon the flaxen threads 
Wrought severance in an instant ; down he cast 
Contemptuous those rent bonds of massive strength 
And strode on towards the howling monster-guards. 
" Malicious, hateful fiends ! or whatsoe'er 
Be that loathed title that ye claim as yours, — 
I charge you as ye love your strength and dread 
The agony and shame of overthrow to skulk 
Hence from my path and cease your hellish din." 
But they, deprived of speech, no answer gave, 
But snarled defiance fierce : whereat he near 
Undaunted drew, and gazed upon four eyes 
Glaring with eager rage ; but they unawed 



108 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Sprang with more deafening uproar at his form 

And would have torn with reckless ire his limbs 

With angel vigor mantling, had he not 

Seized with a dext'rous grasp one monster's mane 

And shaken him aside, and rent apart 

His jaws ferocious ; then his comrade's side 

After dread battle, he with sturdy sword 

Pierced with a frightful gash ; whereby he fell, 

And writhed in howling pain. The victor sprang 

And finding, as expected, locked (to hope 

Other than his, appallingly secure) 

The huge, strong doors, he with his roused strength 

Stormily shook them, causing them to groan 

Prognostics of their fall ; a second rush 

Bore off with stunning crash one portal huge. 

Hinge, lock, bolts, pillar wrenched away ; 

And liberty again received him glad 

The glimmerings of her light to see.* Nor late 

Delayed the victor in that spot, but found 

By good success ere long the path to day. 

Then, hearing in the distance murmurings deep 

As of some army vast ; and catching gleams 

Of blest Elysium's domes, he thither bent 

His movements fast ; but soon before him saw 

What seemed a living form, erect like man's, 

A giant's rather, waiting his approach. 

On nearer view, his eyes undoubting glassed 

The model of no human shrine of strength 

* So to persistent faith and fortitude in the righteous all gloomy obsta- 
cles and barriers give way by God's grace. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 109 

Or dignity severe : A prince he seemed 

Worthy to draw a legion dark around 

His spirit-form so chieftain-like and grand. 

Like some stern, rocky mount whereto, in clouds, 

The Eagle and the birds of prey resort 

Summoned by austere strength and glory proud 

From all the plains about. Beholding there 

This warrior stern away from battle's host 

Mach wondered Sampson ; but no terror shook 

His spirit glorying in his late success ; 

No more than doth some thundering tempest fear 

To rush into the face of armed hosts 

Dreaded his potent heart this demon-foe. 

To him approaching thus the spirit spake 

" Art thou Manoah's son ? I need not ask : 

Thy form Herculean declares thy name. 

I long have sought thee, having heard thy steps 

Were yet upon this shadowy land. And proud 

Well mayest thou be that I forsook my place 

(Surrendered to another) in the field 

To meet thee here in single combat : True ; 

Not much of glory can I lose when war. 

Bellowing from hell-invented engines, storms 

Against a peaceful, unprovided realm. 

Therefore, and since true glory here prefers 

Most noble opportunity, I scorned 

The trump which summoned to a conflict close 

To seek thee here. Report from Earth affirms 

Most lavish fictions of thy strength, — and yet 

I doubt not thou art worthy to contest 



110 THBSHADOWYLAND. 

The palms of lofty valor with a prince, 
Such as before thee stands." 

Then having scann'd 
His stature, helmet, shield, his sword and spear. 
Massive and ominous to all save him, 
These words the Elysian wanderer returned : 
" I think I know the name thou bearest in hell. 
For strength and valor famous ; yet I fear 
Not e'en thy boasted force. My mission here 
Thou knowest was peaceful ; and my heart forbids 
The quest of conflict. High pursuits 
And such as Heaven approves, the ransomed all 
Now follow with delight ; nor save when force 
With fiercest onset justifies, do they 
Their rusting weapons use.* Against all foes 
Assaulting Paradise my sword is pledged." 
To him the demon thus replied : " Full well 
I know that hymns and incense-smoke the blood 
Of noble vigor freshen not, nor train 
The aspiring thoughts towards high, heroic deeds : 
And as thou dost of ' rust ' complain, a chance 
Of burnishing thy energy and arms 
I now award thee with defiance strong : 

4 

Or, dost thou plead that dainty blandishments, 
The perfumed air of Paradise and dreams 
In flowery-couched voluptuousness thy force 
Have wilted utterly V " Such puny plea " 

* Though Christianity forbids retaliation, yet it wonld be difficult to 
prove efforts to ward off an assault forbidden. See Luke XXII, 31. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. Ill 

Responded Sampson, " I cannot prefer. 
But dost thou dream thy vigor burns as grand 
As when in uncorrupted strength thou stoodst 
And hurledst defiance 'gainst that angel high 
Who fought and worsted thee in heaven ?" 
To whom the fiend : " Ha ! dost thou deem 
Seraphic energy within thee lurks, that thus 
Thou darest to insult me with the taunt 
Of powvers in faint decay ?" 

" Spare now thy rage : 
I know thee mighty still ; tho' treason base 
And grovelling ambitions and desires 
Have secret fed for centuries on thy strength 
And on thy beauty once so glorious deemed.* 
Thou dost not love, I see, the truth ?" Whereat 
Replying first to words with angry looks, 
The fiend grasped firm his splendid shield and sword 
And bade defiance to the hero : " Quick 
Prepare for conflict ! Dar'st thou, child of Earth, 
To scorn a heaven-born energy ? I know thee strong 
And see thee insolent as thou art strong ; 
Deeming, because the thunderbolts of God 
Once did confound (tho' not o'ercome) my soul 
That thou mayest deal in scorn, deluded wretch !" 
Thus saying, at Manoah's son he aimed 
With his strong falchion a most fearful blow 
That flashed upon his sounding, temper'd shield 

* Vide Pai-adiso Lost, B. IV, speech of Zephou. 



112 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Anointed with a sweet Elysian oil.* 

Relented his strong arm, but soon again 

Descended swift his sword arrested quick 

Upon his adversary's blade. The shield 

Then quenched its swift-winged brightness o'er again : 

Thus many times his hot ambition failed, 

'Till vexed to be thus bai3Qed with such skill. 

Upon his adversary calm, he rushed in rage, 

Direful as the infernal Prince or storm 

Of night-black tempest scattering mountain crags 

With fierce, consuming strokes : while rage 

His watchful prudence swallowed, swiftly rushed 

Resistless as Death's dart the glorious sword 

Of Sampson, mightiest of Elysium's sons. 

And in his right arm sank ; a blow that seemed 

The accepted price of safety. For thus maimed 

And with this horrid wound his vigor high 

Fast ruining, the fiend his wings aloft 

Spread vast upon the murky air, and fled, 

Doubtless, some potent medicines to seek 

Wherewith to stanch and heal the shameful gash. 

Then sang the conqueror a hymn of praise 

And cheering Hell's dark ruggedness with song, 

He, joyful, turned his hasty steps towards home. 

Now, as he reached the region near the gulf. 

He saw y' swarming on a little hill 

A populous division of the foe 

* Suggested by a passage of Scripture, " anoint the shield." Oil is the 
emblem of grace ; from God comes secret but mighty protection : that 
should we seek. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 113 



That seemed with the rough " edge of battle " torn ; 
Yet kindling with new, stirring life, they moved 
To share in glory to be elsewhere won. 
And thundered down the steep their engines huge ; 
And clattered wains with martial stores ; the trump 
Sounding defiance with harmonious bursts, 
Wedding sweet music unto battle grim, 
As lovely Proserpine to Hell's dark god 
Was bound in Hymen's bands. 

And now approached 
Sampson the eminence on which they moved ; 
A steep, huge precipice concealed his form 
While thus aloud to Power's high Source he prayed ; 
0, God, if Thou fell overthrow dost will 
To this most lawless and rebellious horde, 
Grant now unto thy servant such new force 
Though but a moment given, as may when blent 
With thy endowments old an awful feat 
Breeding dire consternation here achieve. 
Thus having prayed, his grand. Titanic form 
Still loftier seem.ed to grow ; the rocks 
In his high glance were dwindling ; then a rush 
As of a sudden wind, his ear assailed. 
While awfjil strength burned in his lofty frame 
Eager for action. On the stony wall 
He laid his hand, devoting all his powers. 
With a loud groan as when some earthquake splits 
Deep, rocky beds, the hill with all its swarms 
Bowed o'er ; and, pausing for an instant, fell ; 
8 



114 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

(A deafening and terrific crash !) the jaws 
Of ravenous Hell full gorging with the mass. 
Down, down, they sank, in wild confusion heaped, 
In mortification and in pain, baptized 
Beyond expression's power, or art's, to paint. 
Some say this squadron of the hostile force 
Had made their high encampment near that hill 
Within a huge and pillared hall ; that there 
The Hebrew champion, leaning, as of old, 
Upon the columns vast, o'erwhelmed the crowd 
Amid appalling desolation hurled 
Into the black abyss, while he unharmed 
Glanced swiftly from the wreck. 

Their monarch saw 
With deep amazement their mysterious fall ; 
(Such woe and ruin on rebellion wait ;) 
He saw and mourned their overthrow ; yet swelled 
With pride and joy to see how vast a cloud 
Still followed on his steps. 

And, meanwhile, two, 
The lovely, angel guests of Paradise, 
Blest the high air with odorous, out-spread wings, 
Scorning Gehenna's smoke. To Sampson they, 
The gulf when passed, directed their swift flight ; 
And met him puzzled on the infernal shore. 
" We come," said they, ." to bear thee safely o'er 
The red abyss ; thy friends now eager wait 
To welcome thy return and hail thy name, 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 115 

Deliverer, blest of God with wondrous might." 

So saying, in their hands they bore aloft 

The conqueror, as in triumph rapt on high, 

And hailed in Paradise with loud applause. 

To whom, with others hailing, Miriam said : 

" If it a wish befitting could be proved, 

I would that God had vouchsafed man-like powers 

To spirits feminine, at least to mine ; 

Nor left me still this trembling, dove-like heart, 

Attempering the lofty, rapturous glow 

My soul exults in." " An unworthy wish," 

Responded Sampson, " better far, more fit, 

A subject of the Prince of Peace, to shrink, 

If possible, from conflict, which doth mar 

The pure, soft summer of the soul. 

Which is our prize and triumph brightest far. 

Well may we leave unto the glorious arm 

Whence storms and lightnings and devouring fire 

As from the fatal source of terrors rush. 

Our sole defence, while we his mercies crave. 

But if His providence doth seem to point 

To agency of ours, in danger's strait, 

In bristling, rough necessity, — the sword 

Should from its slumbers start, and all brave hearts 

Awake their heroism." To which replied 

The noble Miriam : " True ; I, too, 

Prefer the blessed triumph of the day 

When Peace her blue eyes opens bright from heavens 

By the cloudy wings of War unveiled ; when choirs 

In anthems high refill the temples' vaults 



116 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

With verse sublime and holy melodies ; 

Or when to some fair spirit from afar 

We listen, while the history of the stars 

Or of our native earth is told ; absorbed 

In varied tales of purity and love, 

Of pleasure's and abundance' golden flush ; 

Of sin and shame, war, hatred and the base 

Infamy of idolatry, and nature's pomp 

And art's magnificence and loveliness, — 

And the mind's written glories ; all such tales 

Attention rapt command, and smiles and tears. 

But, still, tho' in such occupations joyed, 

I thought it not a sin to dream my arm 

Raised with the warriors 'gainst the foes of God ; 

As Israel 'gainst the Canaanites of old 

Lifted the spear at Heaven's command and glowed 

With hallowed exultation at their fall." 

" True !" quick responded Sampson, " but our King, 

The mighty Son of David, has unrolled 

His law of universal love, — his flag 

Bright in the smiles of heaven ; and fair inscribed 

With mottoes of sweet charity and peace. 

Streams in the breeze for every nation's eyes. 

And therefore we must e'er love peace ; and leave 

Our city to our King's defence, nor break 

The blessed slumber of our swords save when 

Necessity severe forbids delay, and points 

The will of Heaven that we should take 

In our own hands the vengeance. Had our God 

Commissioned us to execute his wrath, 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 117 

Or eager stand for battle with heaven's sons 
(Now fallen, alas ! how low !) then 'twere, no doubt, 
The part of virtue thus to burn and joy 
In conflict's fiery, exciting hour." 

The foe, 
While thus they spake, began to feel the glow 
Of heat unusual from the sun, while bland 
And dewy clouds hung o'er th' Elysian clime. 
Like soothing hopes o'er virtue's trial-hours. 
Soon ruinous explosions tore their ranks. 
Fired by too fervid beams ; of civil war 
The horrid mischiefs all, without its ire, 
Raged 'mid their hosts dismayed. 

Then Satan, stirr'd 
With rising wrath the while beholding signs 
Of mutiny, disorder and of havoc wild, 
Thus to th' infernal lords exclaimed : " peers ! 
You call this place Elysium ! rather, hell ; 
For, hell itself scarce fiercer fires showers down 
From its red, blazing roof Let heralds haste, 
And see protected all that heat can hurt. 
Disaster on our army largely feeds ; the foe 
Appears to triumph in our loss ; and yet 
As brief as meteor's flash whose melted gold 
Streams brightly for an instant thro' the sky, 
Shall be their triumph j for, I swear by Hell 
And by my throne imperial, at their gates 
This storm shall burst resistlessly, 



118 THESHADOWYLAND. 

E'en tho' all heaven were thronging o'er their wall 

And hurling quenchless flames and the fiats stern 

Of their exalted King. Then, onwards, chiefs ! 

And may Hell's maddest furies haunt him e'er 

And sting his quivering nerves with sharpest pangs, 

Peopling his every dream with horrors dire 

Who shows the craven in the battle's hour ! 

Thus saying, with the trumpet's glorious cry, 

Their glittering multitude in ardor rushed 

Threading the entrance vast of their huge bridge. 

The stout, colossal forms still tireless held 

Their massive charge high up above the flood 

Which thro' the jagged, black and awful rocks 

The souls from Hades saw with fear below. 

Boiling with fiery foam : Nor shrank aghast, 

Tormented with the suffocating fumes ; for, airs 

Not uncongenial flowed within the vault. 

Now soon beyond the flood th' excited host 

Trod on suburban soil. An angel fair 

Flew o'er the walls and warned them thence ; but they 

Unterrified pushed forward their huge wains 

And scowling engines, bent to ope a way 

For all their unwinged allies to the heart 

Of the coveted capital. Then roared 

Again their engines fell of war ; and whizzed 

The missiles thro' the air from catapults ; 

While on the city flashes of hellish fire 

Fell fast and thick as hoar November snows 

Down cast in feathers large from some bleak cloud ; 

Or meteoric showers some autumn night 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 119 

From all heaven's ceiling, watched for long 
By learn'd, star-gazing men. 

Then to an angel bright 
(The same who with the message to the Sun 
Glanced upward like a sunbeam from a lake 
Flung backward to its source) the king of men 
Addressed this question : " All can now declare 
Which is the emperor of Hell ; his regal port 
And brow with stern defiance darkening, and the crowd 
Of honorary guards and chieftains clad 
In military pomp bespeak their King : 
But who is he that by the Sovereign's side 
(Now to his chariot rising) seems well fit 
To reign his sole successor, were the stroke 
Of Heaven's anticipating wrath to hurl 
Th' arch-rebel to his penal prison-pit ? 
Most sure that mien must be far-known in heaven, 
And that strong arm remembered by not few." 
To whom the spirit-guest : " Thou hast affirmed 
As truly as with confidence ; his name 
The children of the earth call Beelzebub, 
Than whom a spirit more severely stern, 
Scorning all danger with a haughtier pride, 
Never the frowns of Heaven provoked. Look keen 
While now 'tis clear, and thou wilt see what scars 
Still linger on his marble brows. But Sampson comes ! 
Most welcome, brave ! thro' God's remembrance 'scaped 
From all their snares ; perchance a conqueror too ! 
Upon thy matchless strength we safely rest 



120 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

While Heaven doth succor us. Behold the two, 

The Prince of Hell and Beelzebub confer 

Above the golden wheels imperial : quick ! "* 

Bend now my bow, the undecaying wood 

From a deathless tree of Heaven ; this arrow tipt 

With mystic fire that even demons dread 

Wing with thy might against that shining mark 

Now while they still confer :" He said ; and swift 

From the strong hero sped the glittering shaft, 

Nor faltered at the distance ; and well nigh 

Had pierced the King himself ; then reel'd transfix'd 

The stately form of Beelzebub, but sank 

Not utterly to the ground, in fall sustained 

By Satan, who by Styx fierce vengeance swore : 

And so a dart, in summer's flourishing prime, 

Flashed from a gusty cloud, in the deep heart 

Of some majestic elm its brightness buries ; 

Which, riven with the horrid gash, long-staggering falls, 

By pitiless winds assaulted ; but not low 

Fore'er to ruin hurled, but, swooning, caught 

By some huge monarch of the woods, again 

To flourish, when restored its frightful Avound. * 

Then Satan gave the signal to advance ; 

And nearer yet their engines roared, returned 

With starry rockets showering fires malign. 

Th' unwinged host of Hades trembled then, 

With such dire mischief scorched ; and therefore, urged 

By dread of flight contagious in their ranks, 

* Homer compares a young warrior fall'n to a poplar untimelj' felled. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 121 

Th' infernal chieftains, mounting higli in air, 
The sworded chariot scorning, rushed to gain 
The towers ami battlements of Paradise, 
In the close, daring struggle to engage. 
They in the air met foemen brave and strong 
Mailed in celestial corslets, wielding arms 
That once before clashed with their baffled steel 
On Heaven's eventful day. Then battle raged 
Fiery and ruinous ; the plain below 
With broken armor gleamed ; as tho' the stars 
And blue and lustrous sky were shattered all 
By a dread doomsday-bolt and lay dispersed 
In glittering ruin wide ; full many a knight 
Covetous of spoil and glory, drank deep shame 
And struggled with his agony ; dire foe. 

Outnumbering the spirit-guests that blest 

"With their protection the Elysian walls, 

Gained them at length the foe with conflict fierce ; 

And then with hideous havoc fell the arm 

Of Sampson, mightiest of Elysium's sons : 

E'en lordly seraphs thro' their shatter'd casques 

Felt, shrieking and with dim and swimming sight, 

His force tremendous. Yet still on, rejoiced, 

The embattled legions of the Apostate moved. 

When storms move up the mountain-side, tho' check'd 

By many a sturdy, wrestling oak, the winds. 

Triumphant in prevailing might, still on 

Sweep restlessly, till stopped by grander power. 

Then pain (as some have ventured to surmise,) 



122 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Then pain was known in Paradise, but soon 

In her sweet balms forgotten ; while the wound, 

Fashioned anew by Nature's motions bland, • 

Soon yielded its defacements to the grace 

Of her original beauty. The fell strife 

Lasted not long with this disastrous phase ; 

For while with air of triumph Satan saw 

The gorgeous city almost made his prize, 

Afar in the glimmering haze appeared to shine 

Some host with burnished arms. Elysium saw 

Throughout her trembling plains that omen fair. 

And uttered her thanksgivings. Soon the hum 

Of myriad wings had greeted every ear 

Had not the din of conflict clattered loud. 

Amazement filled each eye, beholding how 

Throned upon mighty cherubim and girt •• 

With the tokens of a King and God, the form 

(If form it might be called that spirit seem'd,) 

Of David's promised Son, Messiah, shone. 

Murm'rings of wonder, love and grateful joy 

Ean thro' th' Elysian hosts : As when at night 

A ship, long racked by gusts, by furious waves 

Assaulted, dismal groans compelling oft. 

At length, in unexpected moment meets the gleams 

Of a well-known light-house and lit harbor-shores 

Piercing the scudding spray and mists ; 

And all in transport shout ; — so joyed the throng 

Who on that advent gazed j or, as a band 

Of souls contemplative who 've sought the shade 

Of some deep cavern, lost amid its gloom. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 123 

Beset by horrors thick, black mists and rush 

Of wild, meandering torrents, grisly ghosts 

Shaking their glaring serpent-locks, and hell-born beasts 

Howling with hideous din, leap up with joy 

Unspeakable to find again, by chance 

The cavern's sunny and unhaunted mouth ; 

So at this fortune glorious joyed the hosts 

Of Paradise, by horrors dire besieged. 

As He drew near, the bells their chimes 

(For such sweet sounds Sabbathic there are known,) 

The bells their chimes pealed loud and glad. 

Not riding now as erst upon his car 

With wheels thick lightnings flashing far around 

Came now the Prince of peace ; but throng'd about 

With shining seraphim and angel choirs 

Melodiously chanting of his life 

And ignominious but momentous death. 

Upon his vesture and upon his thigh 

A name was written " King of kings and Lord 

Of lords." Then joined his angels in the clash 

Of war, upon Elysium's verge. The infernal ranks 

Were shaken by their shock, until with rage 

Infuriate the Apostate sought the spot 

Where Michtel's potent arm whole squadrons flung 

Smitten with havoc sore down from the walls 

And opal towers. He seeing drawing near 

His stern, colossal foe*; his eye with fire 

Of fiercest desperation lit, and frowning brow 

Where gathering thunders gloomed, addressed himself 

For mightiest battle, and his enem}^ 



124 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Thus briefly counselled : " Satan, thou shouldst know 

Thy might once worsted ; and not rush again 

Upon the everlasting rocks. Unto thy proper place 

Withdraw, or taste thy folly's fruit." 

So said the Archangel whose majestic form 

Tho' bathed in heavenly glories bright and fair 

Yet veiled most fearful might : he, like a cloud 

Piled up in golden grandeur which within 

Tremendous elements of power secretes ; or lake 

In skyey beauty drest and lovely peace 

Most wontedly revealing in its face, 

Yet hiding in its depths the force to sweep. 

When burst its barriers, all the wooded vale 

And deep-embedded rocks to chaos wild. 

He, like to these, tho' beauteous, hid 

Puissance terrible. The Prince of Hell, 

Unterrified, advanced his haughty front : 

" Why call'st thou that a ' rock ' which this strong arm 

Has dashed unto the ground by one fell blow 

As if it were a sparrow's fluttering young ? 

My ' proper place ' is where my conquering hosts 

Have fixed my banner and a kingdom won." 

So saying to the heavenly chief, he swung 

At his rich, plumy helm his battle-axe 

With fearful might, that, had not motion quick 

Evaded, would with mischief foul have crashed 

Thro' triple gold, and hurled that high prince low ; 

To which responding, he with mighty sword 

The fiery strokes of justice wing'd : Then shrank 

Appall'd both spirits blest and spirits damn'd. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 125 

Unwonted to behold such awful fray ; they long 
With dreadful zeal had fought (so nobly matched,) 
Had not the Son of God, tho' doubting not 
The issue sure at last, to lull the fears 
Of his elected, and display his power, 
Flung from his fatal hand one lightning-bolt 
That closed the conflict stern. The sudden peal, 
Like the wild crack of doom, made all the hosts 
Of Hell and Paradise to quake ; and far ad own 
The caverns of infernal night it roared, 
Ee-echoing long and loud. All, startled, saw 
Gehenna's prince in lurid splendor wrapt 
And sinking, stunned, confounded and undone 
Into the smouldering chasm. Profoundest Hell 
Shook, horror-stricken, to behold her King- 
Thus from the inspiring verge of victory fall'n. 
His nobles, thus disheartened and sore pressed 
By new, redoubled zeal, beheld their hopes 
Sicken and darken ; therefore, dreading strokes 
As blasting and unerring, soon in flight 
They sought their safety, while their allies sped 
With lawless, rout-like hurry o'er the bridge ; 
Bereft of its support, it sank with sounds 
Like those some earthquake (soon to burst in fire,) 
To warn a careless city muttereth deep ; 
While the deep mine, beneath the city's site 
Depressed in its explosion and diverted thus, 
Tore thro' the bowels of the smouldering deep, 
Heaping ten-fold confusion on their flight 
With dreadful chaos and confounding din. 



126 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Thus this invasion, by one master-stroke, 

To utter, shameful overthrow was hurled : 

"With their proud leader overwhelmed, down sank 

Their hope, ambition, courage, force ; so when 

The pillars of the towering edifice fell 

Bowed down by Sampson's Nazarite strength Heav'n-lent, 

Down sank in crimsoned wreck the peopled pile, 

Burying Philistia's lords forever fall'n. 



END OF BOOK FOURTH. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 127 



BOOK FIFTH 



With glorious attendance came the Prince of life 
Nor could they therefore wonder ; since the sun 
Often when o'er the mountain-tops he comes, 
Is thronged by many an airy page, in robes. 
As Hope's escutcheon, luminously fair. 
Unto his swarming bands on Heaven's plains 
Had Gabriel spoken : " Spirits deathless ! sons 
Of God and worshippers of Love ! the will 
Of our high monarch bids us fly to zone 
With radiant band the murdered Prince of life. 
Behold, upon the henceforth hallowed cross 
His bodily form is stretched ; but Nature owns 
With shudderings her condemn'd, insulted Lord. 
In the dim world of Hell, the fallen one 
With all his princes and a numerous host 
Assault the battlements of Paradise, 
Exulting, as though Victory's seer had sworn 
Predictions of their full success : but Christ, 
Following the universal law, descends 
To dwell awhile within the shadowy realm. 
Deliverer and consoler of the chosen." 
And not unwilling they ; with joyous rush 
They speed their monarch to attend. 



128 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

The dark 
And awful barriers of Hades shook 
When stole Messiah's spirit on their bounds 
And penetrated to their secret depths. 
His followers with their heavenly lustre chased 
The shadows of that clime, 'till reached the gates. 
Elysium with joy received him, known afar 
And welcomed with exulting melodies. 
As when (the sacred image once again to seize) 
The day-god o'er the Eastern hills appears, 
The vales, late wrapt in chilly shadows, glow ; 
And honeyed, merry voices fill the air. 
Spirit of tenderness ! my soul inspire ! 
Immanuel 'midst his people bows his head 
The kiss of love and reverence to receive. 
Long waited for with eager heart, he treads 
The lovely realms of Hope's bland clime. And Him 
The First of men wdth salutations warm 
"Welcomed to Paradise in name of all. 
And Eve with wonder, awe and love beheld 
Her promised seed ; and dreamed she shining saw 
New harvests of delight 'neath Heaven's smile. 
Nor with less joy did all the prophets clasp 
In their embrace the Treasure whom their lips 
Foretold in types and in dark sayings strange ; 
And hymned in new, majestic strains the Lamb 
From the world's foundations slain and just consumed 
Upon stern Justice' altar. He meanwhile 
His mission to the unblest climes prepared. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 129 

When on the verge of Paradise, his choir, 
Who moved before Messiah, saw the chasm 
With sullen fire and smoke alive, up rushed 
The radiant, white-robed band in air 
With their celestial harps and warblings sweet 
Charming the savage ear of Hell, and all 
The growling, sombre elements around 
Soothing to peace. As when Apollo's son 
Descended to the infernal shades and lit 
The gloomy eye of Dis himself with joy ; 
Such mellow ravishment his father's harp 
Shed thro' those gloomy shades. At Christ's approach 
The prisoners of Hell would swift have fled. 
Dreading his overwhelming bolts, and sought 
In the dark, rocky dens of trackless shores 
A refuge from his blazing scourge, had not 
The tender flame of mercy's lovely bow 
Spanning his regal seat allayed their fears ; 
Yet spake he not of pardon or of hope. 
Some, fancying he came to offer peace 
To penitents, cried out that thought and power 
Their own would work deliverance thence. 
If ever from those prisons dim their souls 
Should rove in boundless freedom, with high state 
And happiness familiar grown. And some 
Conspiracies desired to form to bind 
Their heavenly guest a prisoner for aye ; 
A thought as vain as rivulet's foam : 
What chain can bind the subtle breath of heaven 
When it goes forth ? Or who can sunbeams seal 
9 



130 THE SHADOWY LAND. 



Within the dismal caves of night when God 

Bids them illuminate the world '? 

His foes were taken : They, now captive led 

By mystic bands, attended his fair train 

That His great victory celebrated. Wrapt 

In chains, the Prince of Hell himself confessed 

The mighty victor's power ; tho' pride still reigned 

Upon his lowering brows. And by his side, 

Beelzebub and Moloch walked and gods 

Far-famed in Earth and in the Orcan shades. 

Nor solely these His triumph there to grace ; 

But Death the shadowy king, confess'd his might. 

And wailed his shaken throne and rescued spoils. 

(For, in those murky climes, in deep recess. 

The grisly monarch had upreared his throne.) 

Thence sped his arrowed angels unto Earth, 

Charged with the doom of men. O'er all below 

He claimed dominion. 'Round his sombre throne 

The phantom's ministers in honor stood.* 

There War, in glistening armor, frowned, and gained 

A place at his right hand ; and Bacchus claimed 

A near, exalted seat, with ivy wreathed 

And vine-leaves wrought in gold. There, too. 

Licentiousness with flushing cheek and brow 

Radiant with jewels matched 'gainst sparkling eyes 

Illustrious favor won. But Fashion (shape 

In gorgeous decorations draped) preferr'd her claims 

" I know," she cried " Sovereign, that my power 

• Vide Porteus' court of Death which Peale illustrated on canvas. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 131 

As yet can claim no conquests dire as Mars' : 
But in prophetic glass the proof I read 
Of my wide, strong dominion. With choice lies 
I will hereafter ply the mortal ear. 
Beauty shall then no longer seem enshrined 
In matchless outlines, or in forms 
Praxitiles and Phidias sculptured : crushed 
In close, ridiculous prison, lungs and heart 
In woman's breast shall labor, while disease 
Gains deep and potent empire o'er life's seats, 
Feeding the grave with premature decay. 
Thus shall full many fall ; and War behold 
With jealous eye my triumphs, while my seat 
Built up of skulls and bones I mantle o'er 
With crimsoned, gorgeous draperies deeply dyed 
In th' crushed hearts of youth and loveliness." * 
To her the spectre with approving smile : 
" lovely spirit of the light ! I know 
Thy loyalty unto my crown. Tho' Mars 
And rosy Bacchus with full sacrifice 
Their ministry perform ; yet scarcely they 
Shall higher honors in my court receive, 
Above the dignity of Gluttony 
And yawning Indolence preferred." Thus, near, 
In palace dim but glimmering with the spoils 
And treasures of lost cities swallowed quick 
Into Earth's dismal depths, and with the gems 
Lost in the ocean by a thousand wrecks, 

* Bp. Porteus does not, as I am aware of, introduce Fashion into his 
court of Death. 



132 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

The ministers of the sable phantom dwelt. 
And him, tho' loth to yield, Messiah's bands 
Brought captive to His train : in time, to writhe 
By his own arrows pierced ; his prisoners freed 
And all his spoils disgorged, himself shall feed 
His vast, devouring craving and become his tomb. 
When this triumphant host Hell's verge had reach'd, 
A marvel opened on all eyes ; a bridge 
Magnificent in size and form ; in rich design, 
Like arch and monument of victory, 
Spann'd the dread chasm. Living cherubs smiled 
From arcs above their heads ; and shower'd flowers 
Redolent of the sweets of Heaven ; and waved 
Long, glittering streamers, with the symbols wrought 
Of Christ's salvation and triumphant power. 

The First of men the Conqueror received 

With due congratulations : *' Heavenly Prince, 

Messiah ; Son, (yet Lord !) I breathe for all 

Devoutest homage and extatic praise. 

Thou hast our goldenest hope fulfilled and given 

To Earth the pledge of her deliverance glad, 

Thyself the star prophetic of her day 

When Peace and Righteousness shall kiss ; and deep 

Eternally from sight, like serpents chased, 

Shall all the forms of Error wind away. 

Th' infuriate hordes of Hell thy power confess ; 

And thy dread presence stills the rush 

Of her chaotic elements, to silence soothed. 

The crown rekindles on the brow of Hope 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 133 

Who fills again her rose-y' cinctured seat 

And sheds her genial glories o'er our realm. 

But thou hast won a nobler victory. Our eyes, 

sight delightful ! see a rescued throng 

Else mourned as ever lost, ourselves and friends 

Who wandered with us thro' like scenes on Earth, 

'Neath the same vineyards pressed the luscious grape, 

And in the same, still, solemn forests wing'd 

The feathered messengers of death. 

To them and us Thou art a glorious Sun, 

The very gate to heaven and happiness 

Whereat Love beckoning stands and points to climes 

Where light and immortality pervade 

The mansions of delight. And there our God 

Will greet His children with a father's warmth. 

And thro' the blood-stained portals of rich grace 

By thy fresh smoking sacrifice their souls 

To everlasting joy will welcome." 

These, 
Or words not much unlike, did Adam breathe 
In welcome and in honor to the King. 
Elysium's people meanwhile rushed to greet 
The mighty Savior and his glorious guard. 
His presence and His promise raptured joy. 
Then mothers clasped their children to their arms, 
And with ten thousand kisses blest their lips ; 
And children sires with melting pathos clasp'd. 
The lover, too, smiled on his earthly love. 
And with assurance full beheld her now 



134 THE SHADOWY LAND. 



Washed from all stain " like stars from out the deep " ; 

Tho' Hymenaeus torch no beam so far 

Cast from his earthly shrine, yet fondly there 

The lovers from our distant orb renewed 

Their former kindnesses and blent their joy 

As perfumes mingle o'er the Howery beds. 

Congratulations o'er, Messiah told 

The history of his human life, his truths, 

His griefs, his wrongs, his death : before their eyes 

He pictured Israel's sanguinary doom ; and long 

And wide captivity, wherein with hot 

And vexed impatience they, like fish ensnared, 

Would toss with many a struggle. In clear light 

He set before them his new star, whose beams 

Would ruin dart, like lightning, wheresoe'er 

The monstrous shapes of superstition rose, 

Tho' guarded by the strength of giant states. 

Satan behind th' imposing show divine 

Of mythologic lore and heathenish pomp 

Would lend his cunningest arts, and blow with rage 

Demoniac influence ; hence unpitying fires 

Enkindled by his breath, the heart would prove 

Of a cloud of followers and their zeal refine. 

But zeal at length would flag ; and purity, 

Like summer's azure stained with murky fogs. 

Be clouded by gross frauds and errors dark 

'Till, (after partial restoration,) God 

Should topple down into one red abyss 

The leaders of corruption, and defile 

Their gorgeous strongholds with black ruin's scars. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 135 

Meanwhile His Israel He would recollect, 

Restoring glory's early seat and realm ; 

But to His slumbering children and the few 

Remaining on the earth immortal forms, 

By quick, mysterious change would give ; 

So they, 'neath triumph's canopy enthroned. 

Might smile at Death and Time for evermore. 

And walk in bowers of happiness divine. 

Thus He set forth prophetic the career 

Of his blest truth and power ; whereat they joyed ; 

As one who sailing in his globy ship 

Thro' chill, serial oceans, long bemazed 

'Mid clouds, at length discerns with joy the light 

Of sunny skies and cities sparkling and the meads 

"Waving in flowery loveliness. Nor least in joy 

The sires of ancient wisdom, at whose feet. 

In classic groves, or in far Orient bowers. 

Delighted followers listened ; as in night 

Lengthened and sunless of the poles, the stars 

And twilight lingerings of the once shower'd blaze 

Are duly prized until the sun appear : 

So they unto their glorious teachers turned 

With reverence and delight ; and these redeemed ; 

By love divine from the dark thresholds snatch'd 

Of Hell's grim prisons and the caves of Night, 

Extolled his matchless name. Like sages true. 

With no disdainful, self-sufficient mien 

Turned from the golden lips Divine, but sat 

Drinking immortal thoughts at that blest fount, 

With all-eclipsing happiness. 



136 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

And then in silvery majesty arose 

A seer of noble worth, (tho' history ne'er 

Hath lisped a syllable of hia visions true 

Declared in days of old :) " Illustrious Prince 

Thy coming from afar we've watched, the scrolls 

Of dark predictions searching with a gaze 

Of earnest interest ; for thee we here 

Have longed, as have the cold and dewy vales 

Yearned for the sunny smiles of risen day, 

Whereat the flowers their tearful eyes do ope, 

Forth breathing incense sweet unto the light, 

With lovelier colorings flushed. So joy 

And hope and love have at thy presence glowed : 

As longs the bride (incarnate hope and fear ;) 

Soft veiled in flowing, emblematic white. 

To see the bridegroom with triumphal blaze 

And virgin choir approaching ; so have we 

For thy appearance burned with deep desire. 

Thou tellest of thy sacrifice fulfilled, 

Bloody and sad, but fraught with joyful gifts ; 

Thou tellest of the Spirit's deathless glow 

Shed from the Father's hand and bought by Thee ; 

Which in our souls with bliss exultant now 

We recognise : And now we see 

How type in antitype is fill'd ; how God, 

Leaving so many down to sink in doubt 

Awakened with surprise in Hades' shades. 

Hath left the cloudy volume of the present 

Unfolding with celestial splendors clear, 

The prospect of eternal life to show. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 137 

Triumph and love and angel-guards thy name 
Do well attest ; while in those ghostly palms 
And on that pale, scarr'd brow we read 
The story of thy wrongs : But agony, 
In holy virtue's cause endured, the gates 
Of glory's palaces unbars ; the blessed springs 
Full swelling of the Love Divine, and power 
Of tenderest eloquence into the cause 
Thus seal'd inspiring. Now we see 
Not ever in this twilight state doth Fate 
Command our lingering, with distant glimpse 
Of spotless happiness and fadeless light : 
(As, in our mortal state, high truths appear'd 
Beyond the reach of comprehension's wing 
In marvellous brilliance guised.) Now Hope 
To golden certainty matures at once 
'Neath thy blest smiles ; we may expect 
That loftier intellect shall yet unveil 
The mystery of that double nature guised 
In Adam's form ; and, likewise, all the strange 
Machinery complex of thy providence, 
In the wheeled visions of Ezekiel shown. 
But lovelier prospects still our souls delight : 
Before th' eternal throne we yet may bow, 
Unwithered by that emblematic blaze 
Now dazzling white as Justice' brow, 
Now smiling with the roseate hues of love ; 
As our wing'd visiters in the past have told. 
And we shall hear the story of thy life 
In the far and hoary days of Time, 



138 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

And history's voices of the eternal age, 
Ere Earth was swimming in the Sun's glad light ; 
When Thou a glory with the Father knewest ; 
And of the sparkling orbs in heaven that roll 
The life and chronicles we then shall see : 
But we shall be more blest by far to feel 
Thou dost with condescending love embrace 
Kedemption's blood-wash'd children, in Thy joy 
Deep drinking, in Thy love immers'd, and all 
In the wide folds of Thine own glory wrapt. 
To Thee, Son of God, be love and praise ; 
All dazzling triumph, power, be Thine for e'er ! 

And meantime sped afar the buzz of speech : 
Thousands in earnest converse group'd, set forth 
Their observation of the fray's dread scenes, 
The desperate onset of their reckless foes. 
Their partial, momentary triumph, their defeat ; 
The wounds of valiant warriors which the touch 
Of leaves medicinal or the Conqueror's hand 
At once to soft and blooming health restored. 
The Conqueror, too, their wonder and their praise 
Abundantly drew forth : His mien divine 
Where earthly sorrows showed their touching lines, 
Like mists from earth upon the morning's face ; 
His warm, benignant air and kindling tones 
Telling of God's high glory, and, upon the earth, 
His future conquests and the golden morn 
When all His children in Death's dim domains 
Would hear His voice, to a new body called j 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 139 

Would soar to heaven as thick as tiniest drops 

Rise in the air when summer-dawn shines forth. 

The Mother of all living, with delight, 

Beheld her long-expected seed ; nor turned 

The Prince Divine from her affectionate lips 

With the pure, honey-dews of grateful love 

Both filial and parental filled : " High Son 

Of God most high," she said, " yet child forth sprung 

From woman ! in Thy presence clear we read 

The pledge of all Heaven's promises, tho' strange 

And vast and glorious be the dreams they prompt : 

No prospect now too great or fair shall seem ; 

No wonder prophesied too strange and high, 

Since Thou, the crown of glory, and the living heart 

Of mystery Divine, hast proved below Thy truth 

And kindled faith to rapturous assurance." Thus 

While Eve discoursed, the penitent thief (now one 

Of the blest dwellers in that spirit-world,) 

Rehears'd to eager and excited groups 

Christ's sorrows, prosecution, death, and all 

The startling miracles which th' death-honors paid 

To the Incarnate Word. 

" But why," (said one 
Fresh from the scenes of earth) " this fierce attack 
Which the stern chivalry of Hell in vain 
Urged with their flaming enginery, and rough 
Heaven-daring insolence against our realm ?" 
To whom another : " I, as one who've flown 
Through that unblest tumultuous clime, can well 



140 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Declare the cause of their hostility : 

The hate of what the stamp of virtue wears ; 

The envy deep of privilege ; of revenge 

The thirst long cherished, — these explain th' attack." 

" Revenge !" cried one, " of what ? for, surely God 

His sceptre with forbearance kind hath gemm'd." 

" Most true ; but justice unto such seems ground 

For anger and rebellion. All have heard 

How, ages since, when men had grown corrupt, 

Gloating in violence, in war, and crimes 

Voluptuous and the flowery way to death, — 

The Almighty oped His watery reservoirs, 

And afterwards poured cataracts of fire, 

Stifling the scofiing sons of shame. But they, 

Cast out from their frail, fleshly tenements 

By such ejectment strong, in rage long chafed, 

Dreaming and vain essaying vengeful plots." 

To him the other then replied: "It seems 

That this assault was prompted by old fires 

Long rankling in the soul, in part restrained, — 

At length with fury of volcanic force 

Spitefully rising. Canst thou picture forth 

Those dread events by Heaven's high justice marked ?" 

" Surely I need not tell that vice then ruled 

Th' inhabited world. And you must know 

The Protean then, as e'er, assumed 

Every attractive and exciting shape. Pursuit 

Of crimsoned glory's glittering bubbles, gold. 

Authority and pleasure witching men ; 

But not sweet virtue or ennobling truth. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 141 

Her mossy bowers were decked with roses gay 
By Pleasure, goddess of their ardent rites, 
With constant sacrifice invoked. The Moon, 
When thro' her shining troop she floated, seemed 
To their forgetful minds the Queen of Heaven, 
A bright Divinity in silvery robes. 
Thus wickedly oblivious of their God, 
They kissed to her the hand and breathed aloud 
Their adorations towards her azure fane. 
The Sun, too, when amid the fields of day 
He marched and shot his sparkling shafts afar, 
Dealing the gifts of plenty, health and death. 
Seemed a puissant god ; of marble shrines 
Inlaid with golden beauty and of lambs 
And fruits and every fatness Avorthy. Thus 
Provoked they by their deeds the God of heaven. 
The incense-cloud which in their temples soared 
Honored with its rich smoke no powers divine ; 
But fallen spirits claimed their guilty rites. 
Wrath on the brow of Heaven in darkness sat. 
Which now frowned on them with terrific gloom. 
The rising Ark was a prophetic shape ; 
But this in unbelief's insanity they scorned ; 
Till the dark threats of justice were matured 
In fury of resistless floods. The Prince 
Of darkness gloried in the chaos wild : 
Himself the violent course of passions urged, 
(The ominous precursors of the floods 
And fitting types of their destructive rush.) 
What wonder that he triumphed in the wreck 



142 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

When the rude, boist'rous waves dash'd 'midst the shrine 
Glittering with precious things of Art, where drank 
Laughing and bright-eyed beauty Pleasure's cup 
Sweet with forbidden joys. The palace proud, 
Where the wreath'd conqueror warmly wooed delight. 
Sank in the deep, o'erwhelming wave like snow 
Sliding from icy crags into swift tides 
Tossing and warm in channels far below. 

Messiah with the sires of honor'd name 

In deep and shadowy recess held commune. 

Meanwhile as Time on downy wings bore off 

The happy hours, in converse of the past 

They still engaged. And some, who later sought 

Those ghostly shades, enquiries urged on those 

Who in antiquity's most hoary scenes 

A part had known : Then when from various lips 

They'd gathered many an incident that waked 

Absorbing interest, there stood forth one, 

An angel visitant ; and thus he spake : 

While hovering o'er Hades dark, I heard 

The story of a life ; and this will show 

The face that world which we call ' Earth ' then wore. 

When he who told it lived. You know, he said. 

How from his innocence our father fell, 

And misery sowed for all. You've heard 

How from th' embowered and sunny bliss, the flame 

Of swords cherubic severed him : how flowed 

The taint of his fall'n nature to his race ; 

Corruption's poisonous leaven o'er the world 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 143 

Was spread, you all have seen ,• and death on all 

License received to prey : and aches and ills 

Of various venom made man's frame their own 

In that unhappy age when Noah showed 

His luminous example, 'twas my lot 

To know the pulses of our mortal life. 

Where lived within a city's walls a man 

Whose head was silvery, and about whose name 

The precious honors that great virtues give 

Were clustering thick. His beauteous wife could claim 

Not more of beauty than of praise. In times 

When e'en the matrimonial covenant seemed 

The confirmation signed of full contempt 

Of virtuous precepts honorless before, 

She walked the pattern of a blameless life, 

With sinless day-dreams : Hence was wooed afar. 

One day, he gathered all his stores ; and noon 

Their brief and moving shadows cast on paths 

Which from the city led. He sought a home 

Far in the lonely forest wilds, where sounds 

Of popular turmoil, jests profane and lewd. 

The ever-brawling torrent of rude words 

Might ne'er upon the pleasant air of home 

Burst in with ruffian freedom. Just at eve, 

When by a rocky verge they moved and charmed 

The purple hour of day's decline with hymns 

Of praise and gratitude to God ; with yells 

And flash of straight swords drawn, a robber-band 

From the dense thickets rushed. (E'en judges winked 

At such atrocities, intent to share 



144 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

The plunders of their violence. And these 

Their informations gathered from the hands 

Of highest officers.) The eldest Son 

Sprang towards the robber-band with noble zeal. 

At first they scorned the youth : but when he struck 

With weapon rude their chief, they reckless hurl'd 

Th' unhappy boy adown the cliff ! Then shrieked 

With wildest agony his mother fond : 

The vultures flew with eager haste to glut 

On his torn flesh their hunger. Then the thieves, 

Binding the old man to a tree, essayed 

Their skill in archery ; 'till pierced, he groaned 

And breathed his soul on waiting seraph's breasts. 

Horror ! to his consort, 'twas thy hour, — 

With thy most maddening anguish fraught ! 

Down sank in dizzy, blinding swoon the wife, 

O'erpowered with poison dregs of woe's dark draught j 

Her reason shrouded in the stormy cloud 

Of stern afflictions. And, perchance, she ne'er 

Awoke from her dim swoon to know again 

Herself bereaved of husband and of son. 

Her children vagrants in the perilous wild. 

And she a prisoner in the rock-bound night. 

Gathering my father's stores, they dragged away 

To subterranean caves my mother loved ; 

And drove us from them with unpitying hand. 

We wandered long amid that forest vast, 

Where we had buried our revered sire. 

With childish hands his shallow grave. 

Having with many sobbings dug. On roots 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 145 

And berries we subsisted : but soon pined 
My youngest brother ; and with piteous cries 
He mourned the mother whom we sought in vain. 
His sufferings soon were stifled ; for, the boa 
Seized him constricted in his fatal folds, 
Springing from heights unnoticed : who can stop 
The crushing wheels of fate ? One stormy night 
The tiger snatched the other from my side, 
And to his bone-strewn den with menacing growl 
Bore him with rapid strides. I sank as dead ; 
All strength forsook me ; and I wept 'till sleep 
Soothed me with visions of his company. 
Next morn, while birds were singing, I awoke, 
And called, ' come, brother, rise, I know where figs 
Are ripe enough to drop ; and where wild grapes 
Make the young sycamores where they hang to bend 
Almost unto the earth ; I know where quails 
May by our cunning noose of hair be snared. 
Rapidly running 'twixt the grassy tufts.' 
But none gave answer : then I sought a trace 
Of him I mourned ; the forest grass was flecked 
With crimson spots : the memory dire awoke 
With woful vividness : I walked forth alone ! 
But this heart-sickness fainter grew in time : 
The forest life increased my vigor : swift 
From my rude, withe-strung bow, the arrow sped : 
The ring-dove often fluttered at my feet ; 
And e'en the wild goat, when my bow-string whirred, 
Fell on his breezy precipice. One day 
I found and visited the spot where sank 
10 



146 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

From love's appalled sight the first-born son 

My mother in her bosom couched ; and there 

Among the rocks, his bones I found, all white 

By the blaze of many summers. There I vowed, 

(While my dark eye drank yet a fiercer fire. 

Gazing into the sky, in splendor drest,) 

That I would yet a vengeance know. I heaped 

The earth about him, and sweet wild-flower roots 

Pressed in the mellow mould, that, thro' all time. 

Their perfume 'round his grave they might exhale, 

As gentle sighs and grateful memories haunt 

The name and vision of the one we 've loved. 

A hunter found me in the woods, and made 

His distant hut my prison. There I toiled 

In drudgery abhorred for years. At length 

I sought excitement and my cares where sounds 

The hum within the city's walls. I nursed 

The early, hot-flush'd dream of vengeance fierce : 

My stealthy questionings I pressed ; I found 

That knowledge for the which so long I burned ! 

In deadly feud, one of those robbers fell : 

A giant, mouldering tree, when winds were wild. 

Fell by the highway, rending four with wounds 

Fatal at once to two ; and to the rest. 

Ere many suns had set. Their chieftain, moved 

With sudden weariness of brigand-life, or new 

Contempt of such loathed outrage, c^me to spend 

Life's strong-nerved prime within our city's pale. 

Excitement in more honorable schemes 

With villany still, tho' secretly impressed 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 147 



He now pursued. I vowed again my vow : 

But had I left my vengeance unto God 

Whose providence and judgment-throne dispense 

Immaculate equity, nor rashly seized, 

With sacrilegious hand, the hallowed rule 

Which Justice holds, then still might all 

E'en to this moment, have been well. But no ! 

There yet breathed one whose hated arrow drank 

The life-blood of my venerated sire j 

At whose command adown the jagged cliffs. 

The eldest of my mother loved was hurled ; 

And who had such loath'd violation shared 

As made my blood to boil as with Hell's fires. 

But I was changed ; he knew me not. 

One Eve, as sank to rest the blushing Sun 

With hurried steps, excited, I passed thro' 

The quiet, shadowy streets. Upon the boughs 

The Western radiance lingered, and there blent 

With gleams of burning lamps within the halls ; 

(As glows of earthly love with heavenly joined.) 

I entered ; 'twas his bridal night ; the scene 

Betokened high festivity. His slaves, 

In crimson drest, with silvered sashes girt, 

Richly embroidered with gold-thread and blue. 

Held high the torches shedding perfumed smoke. 

The white-haired priest, in robes of brilliant work 

Chanted a bridal hymn and praised the gods. 

The virgins clad in white their smiles exchanged, 

With envy gazing on the happy fair. 

I forward rushed : " Villain !" I cried, " thou diest ! 



148 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

My brother, down the cliff, thy hand did hurl ; 

Thy dagger pierced my venerated Sire ; 

Thy base atrocities my mother's heart 

"Wrung with fresh agonies, 'till, doubtless, death 

Released her spirit from your robber-den, 

As the bright spark, beneath the crushing wheel 

From rocky bondage freed. Out on thee, knave ! 

Long years have passed ; but vengeance now confronts 

Thy basest mind with memories of those hours. 

And bids thee give thy latest glance on earth. 

Nay ! shrink not ! thou art mine ! down ! down ! 

And gasp thy fiendish soul away." Some rush'd, 

When passed of their surprise the early shock, 

To seize my hand ere from my robe it drew 

The dagger which I plunged e'en to its hilt 

In the base ruffian's heart. The beauteous bride, 

Swooning in deadly pallor, was borne off 

By wild and weeping friends who wailed aloud. 

(It was as tho' some rose in opening bloom, 

Flushed as with passion's glow, and climbing high 

On a dead aspen, were by sudden blast, 

Flung prostrate, with its worthless prop to earth.) 

Some drew their swords in heat and would have made 

The walls to ring again with female shrieks. 

And images of the gods to frown anew 

At sight of yet another crimsoned scene : 

But some the deep heart of the fallen knew, 

And their swords flashed between. To dungeons dim 

They hurried me away ; and there I pined 

Till artifice, one happy night, reciped 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 149 

A boundless range. In distant cities now 

I mingled with the multitude, and saw 

How sin's fair, poisonous apples riper grew ; 

And the luminous corruption, how it gained. 

But God decreed destruction. Noah was chosen 

To fill again the earth : As sunbeams rest 

In fairest brightness, lovingly and long, 

On the pure, heaven-kissing mounts, and glow 

In richer glory at Eve's hours, — so dwelt 

God's love and blessing on his virtuous head 

Towering in moral worth ; smiles, beaming oft 

Brighter at life's last hours. I saw the ark 

Destined to save him, gain from year to year, 

A warning to the world. It came at length. 

That awful day of wrath ! What cloudy gloom 

Mantled the skies ! what moans, what sighs, 

When in the streets the foaming torrents raged. 

And human habitations sped away. 

As leaves upon the blast ! I sought the hills ; 

Thither full many fled. The land, I think, 

Subsided, and the ocean rushed thro' caves 

Beneath the ground, and rose upon the world ! 

We saw the ark afar, the abode of peace, 

Floating upon the watery waste, (like a heart 

Tranquil and peaceful, thro' its holy glows, 

'Mid surging passions' strife without.) Fierce beasts 

Upon the hill-sides gathered, waged wild war 

Against the weak and fainting. I escaped 

'Till one sad eve, a hungry lion spied 

My hiding-place beneath an ample thorn. 



150 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Stern horrors ! what a moment that ! With roar 

That would have made the boldest tremble, swift 

He sprang upon my breast ! I, frantic, screamed : 

I felt his ravenous teeth meet in my throat ; 

And all things swam around me ; earth I knew 

No more ; these sombre scenes oped wide 

Upon my spirit's view !" " 'Tis thus we reap " 

The listener replied, in words like these, 

" The miseries of sin ; 'tis thus she spits 

Her venom o'er the flowers of bliss ; they fade ; 

They bloom no more ; abhorred blots." " Most true ;" 

Answered the other -, " but tho' bliss is merged 

In deep, deep gloom, yet there remains the hope 

Of vengeance for the wrongs we 've known. The vow 

I made long since, swearing by Heaven's great throne, 

I here renew with fervor. Thou, deep Hell, 

If fury can a new and mightier power 

Pour thro' my spiritual frame, shalt witness scenes 

With agonies of maddening fierceness rife, 

And to the frowning genius of revenge 

Made sacred ! They who heaped on us those wrongs, 

Their cup of sorrow o'er again shall drink ; 

Poison with bitterness shall mix, and 'mid the cloud 

The blasting fires of vengeful hate they'll meet." 

" Thus heard I, as o'er Hades dark, I strayed ; 

Most melancholy and forsaken clime ! where smiles, 

(The pleasant morning of expression's day,) 

And love, the sunny angel on whose rosy wings 

Heaven breathed such grateful secnt 

That she might make delectable the air 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 151 

Where'er she lingered, — smiles and love, I say, 

Seemed there to be unknown." Then patriarch Noah 

Allusion made to scenes like those just sketched. 

Confirmed the unflattering story History told 

Of that corrupted day : When Lot (now joined 

Unto their company) thus spake : " I, too, 

A tale of lust and insolence could tell, — 

Of turbid violence which vexed my soul. 

And struck the sinless eyes of Heaven with grief ; 

Such gluttony and pride and grosser sins 

Did everywhere abound, that God in wrath 

Bade Justice ope her reservoirs of fire 

And cauterize the rotting wounds Earth bore. 

I saw the flashing torrents rush from Heaven ; 

I heard the dismal shrieks the doomed gave ; 

I saw the awful, night-black smoke blot out 

The brightness of the day when morning rose." 

To him, response was given by Lida venturing 
In words like these : " You have indeed beheld 
One of the scenes most fearful Earth e'er knew. 
Thus vice tho' fair with dark-hued wo must wed. 
Sooner or later ; wise decree of Heaven ! 
These direst warnings with benignant power 
Upon the eyes of erring men long gloom. 
And motion to the paths of right and peace. 
The deeds of heavenly justice, like thick clouds, 
Tho' dark as the avenging angels' wings 
To eyes which men do see with, yet are bright, — ' 
Bright with a brightness higher than our glance. 



152 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

While darkly veiled, — inspired with wholesome power, 

And kindliest meanings as with justice stern : * 

Or they may be compared to caverns deep 

Where treasures rich, and clear, sweet fountains flash ; 

But gloomy are they, dismal to the eye 

Of him who passes by the entrance grim. 

" 'Tis true," responded one, with angel form, 

" E'en Sodom's ruin, as a flaming torch 

Held in the hand of some good angel, warns 

With kindly meanings as with stern, mankind." 

" Ah ! I could tell a tale of horror " (spake 

The angel who stood by the group,) " of scenes 

Within the gates of Sodom. When the first. 

The strange and fearful roar of kindling skies 

Fell on the ear of Pleasure in her halls. 

What trepidations chased their gaieties ! 

Dropt from her hand the timbrel and the lyre, 

And on her cheek the sunshine faded back 

To twilight grey of fear and woe. 

Then oaths 
Insulted Heaven ; and wild shrieks and moans 
Were heard on everj side. Some sought to drown 
In purple seas of wine their wo, and died 
Snatching at pleasure with a desperate grasp. 
As mariners upon the sinking deck, f 
But down the fiery tempest rushed, and seared 
All germs of life in that death-doomed plain ! 

• I have met with a similar image in Richter. 

t " With draughts inebriate on the sinking deck." — Byron. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 153 

But that dread homily on the end of sin 

Men will not listen to : the race of crime 

Is still with reckless feet of myriads thronged : 

Tho' born with gift of heavenly light, like stars, 

Men love the darkness, wandering in the night." 

When these had spoken, others, (ancients) drew 

A graphic picture of their time, and traced 

The course and spread of sin's pernicious stream. 

Marking along its way the mournful wrecks 

Wherewith its torrents strewed the sterile shores ; 

Till at the day of Christ they left the theme. 

Meanwhile, amid those bowers, the Son of God 

Tarried awhile ; soon from his presence flowed 

O'er all rich happiness ; his words the scent 

Bore to their hearts of Heaven's sweet, soothing balm. 

Now, in the sombre courts of death there stole 

Some gleams of morning from the forehead cast 

Of God's resistless Son ; the fearful chill 

At once was softened, and fair flowers sprang 

And twined the gloomy marbles of his porch ; 

And as their blossoms wooed the blessed light, 

Their seeming disarray these words portrayed 

" There's stainless bliss in Heaven for evermore." 

Then with the swelling voice of song, whose joy 
Was mixed with soft regrets, (hast thou not seen 
Smiling with dreams of wedlock, yet with tears 
Bathing in crystal tides her dark-blue orbs, 
A maid lamenting the sad partings nigh ?) — 



154 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Then with the voice of song the Son of God 
Arose, the garden of Gethsemane 
In haste to seek ; His form to reassume ; 
That darkened temple with eternal day 
To light, and cheer His drooping followers ; 
And thence, (the high commission given,) to win 
With seraph-guarded flight the golden gates 
Of Heaven's imperishable towers : There soon 
The mystic fires to pour on saintly lips ; 
To soothe His loved ones with a joy divine. 
To flood the faithful bosom with His peace. 
And guide with providential rule His ark. 
The holy church, thro' life's tempestuous seas, 
To His broad haven of triumphant rest. 

Ere His departure, of His ancients some. 
Arising, their illustrious guest addressed : 
And, first, the patriarch Noah an audience claimed. 

first-born Son of triumph ; Thou who wear'st 
The wreaths not only of victorious deeds 
Achieved o'er mystic and immortal foes 
Clad in organic forms ; but o'er those powers 
That scorn all shafts and chains, the passions strong 
Which hold tumultuous sway within the heart. 
Hail, Thou whom Love's serene, resplendent heaven 
Acknowledges its leading star, to Thee 
We look as unto glory's Prince : Thy care. 
An ark of grateful safety 'mid all storms ; 
Thy fower shall shake the fastnesses where vice, 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 155 

Her gloomy systems and her fatal powers 

Have long been reigning, as the mighty seas 

Shook and o'erthrew the barriers of Earth, 

And the world's pomp and pride in wrath's dread day. 

Thou to the haven blest of endless rest 

Thy followers shalt guide : and there, at length, 

No shadow of a trembling hope, but glad 

And stainless confidence, like a radiant dove. 

Shall visit us, (life's turbid waters passed,) 

With the green olive of immortal peace. 

Then Adam interposing, with grave voice 

The Son of God addressed : Illustrious Son, 

The first-begotten of the Great Supreme, 

That with th' indwelling splendors of thine ancient life. 

Hath dignified the form and mind of man. 

Wherein Thou veiledst it, and hath the estate 

Of future life, heaven's loveliness, revealed 

By shadowy type, (as in Thy bland, meek mien 

Thy heaven-born excellence was imaged forth 

Among the sons of men), — to Thee I breathe 

A father's blessing and a child's warm prayers 

Thou dost the sad decays of sin repair, 

And givest the golden fruitage of life's tree. 

Wide opening lovelier climes than Eden knew, 

Where Satan never in delusive guise 

Shall charm the listening ear with specious lies ; 

Unto Thy majesty and righteousness 

The honor due we freely, fully give. 

May Heaven her portals with triumphant swell 



156 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Of praise and music ope, at Thy return ; 

And her immortal flowers (if such there bloom,) 

Thy brows with crowns of fragrant beauty wreathe ; 

With glory's pomps in rich profusion showered ! 

Stars of unquenching fires, (emblems of souls 

By Thee redeemed and saved,) shine forth and gem 

Thy diadem of honor ! The full, thick waves 

Of love's eternal sea, from every clime, — 

Upon Thy bosom and Thy throne of power 

May they forever flow, the offering meet 

Of those by Thine atoning favor freed ! 

To them the Son of God gave answer fit 
With love's sweet tones, — adding His blessing rich. 
Then of His Father's house, its mansions vast, 
And of th' eternal founts of life and joy, 
He briefly spoke ; and breathing full on all 
His holy influence. He cleaved the skies. 
Soon lost amid the golden mists of heaven : 
So from the soft and mellow East, the Sun, 
Soaring on high, 'mid seas of wavy clouds. 
Cuts, on his heavenly voyage, his sparkling way, 
'Till, to the sight, his glorious form is lost, 
Amid the glowing vaporous volumes veiled. 
Meanwhile the listeners heard afar the song 
Dying with sweet refrains, which angel-bands, 
Messiah's guard, breathed as their fond farewell 
To those bland climes of hope they left, where Joy 
Her soft reflections and fair promise gives. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 157 

And then upon the distant sky there rose 

Of dense and gloomy clouds an army grand, 

Is it, asked some, a portent of the day. 

Now near at hand, of judgment unto all ? 

Or veils Heaven's King His smile in sombre frowns '? 

Or, hath the vanquished Prince of Hell afresh 

With numerous hosts, in cloud-like ambush hid, 

By war's tempestuous genius roused again. 

Forsaken his dark coverts to attempt 

Beauty's delicious climes and a new crown 

With costly triumphs lit ? 

A starry host, 
Like night's far company, arose and soared 
Up towards a Sun that o'er those clouds shone forth : 
But they, tho' fainter grown, evanished not 
Before His burning eye. With tremulous flash, 
Some hurried towards His court, arising swift 
From their dark graves amid the typic clouds : 
And some in aspect bland and calm soared up 
To meet their Prince, with equal swiftness borne. 
These orbs of light, heaven-lit and ]^ure, first rose 
From out their sable shrouds ; and, in the fields 
Made glorious by His presence, they began 
The triumphs of their everlasting day ; 
Uttering such music as made Hades list 
With joy as great as wonder ; but anon 
The orbs of tremulous flash, of gross, dull light 
(Which burned like earthly flames 'neath His dread eye,) 
Around the monarch gathered, and were nigh 



158 THESHADOWYLAND. 

Annihilated by His glance. Swift fires, 
As lightnings of indignant zeal, down leapt 
Upon those trembling spheres : they sank ! down, dovmy 
Amid the black and awful clouds, they sank. 
Entombed in bottomless pits, 'mid smoke and night 
And the deep, baleful shades the Prince of Hell 
Cast from his sombre wings when lurid flames 
Revealed him darkly on his night-girt throne. 

And soon our common mother thus addressed 
The father of our race : " How strange is life ! 
And with what dignity by mercy crowned, 
By many a deed divine ! Our eyes have seen 
The eternal Son of God : the vivid proof 
Hath visited our sight that He hath dwelt 
In our own flesh ; an orb of light serene 
Deigning to fire a dull and murky sky ; 
Or spirit dowered with peerless dignity 
Hallowing a temple ruined and defiled. 
To us His voice, rising with mercy's tides, 
Hath breathed sweet consolations, true in love 
As e'er was cloudless summer-noon in light. 
The day-spring from on high is ours ; the star 
Which o'er the humble shades of Bethlehem burned, 
Hath lit our rosy twilight. Angel-smiles 
And spirit visitations from the sphere 
Are honors less than these. would that I 
Beside His infant slumbers could have stood ; 
Have heard His earliest prattlings tell of heaven, 
Doubtless, of cherubs' wings, and incense breathed 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 159 

From golden censers, (type of holy prayers,) 
Wafted aloft to God !" 

And then our sire 
In words like these replied : Ah ! yes ; but would 
That we His manhood's course on earth had seen, 
The mien divine, majestical and sad. 
And marked with yearnings of celestial love ! 
What joy His winning teachings to have heard ! 
And to have seen (what privilege supreme !) 
His miracles, (benificence and truth 
Transformed to power !) Of what sad interest 
The prophecy of Calvary's scene to have drank. 
So eloquent with bland, consoling peace 
Beyond death's ravages. Jerusalem ! 
Henceforth thy sacred dust shall breathe 
With a more tender, sweet and holy charm ; 
A nobler glory o'er thy fane shall float 
Than when in morning's cloudless flood thy roof 
Dazzles with golden blaze. The leafy spot 
Where He with sanguine tears implored, shall men. 
The pilgrims to its groves, with sacred awe 
And blessed meditation greet ; and tho' superb 
And widest domination from Judea 
The beaaty of its royal state reveal, 
Yet holy hearts, with gratitude suffused, 
Shall in the twilight vision of a cross 
Its noble burden lifting 'gainst the sky, 
Beyond the walls of David's city old, 
Discern an image lovelier and more grand. 



160 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

And now the cross shall be the symbol great 
And sceptre of the heavenly love. 

And then 
Fair Eve replied : They say a worthy band 
Of women who did love Him dyed their lips 
To deeper crimson on His blood-stained feet, 
With burning kisses pressed ; and at His tomb 
With spices they intend to meet. How sweet, 
How doubly sweet the spices meet to embalm 
God's only and self-sacrificing Son ! 
Only Elysium's flowers such odors breathe. 
And her blest trees alone such spices yield, 
And weep such fragrant gums. His body sleeps ; 
But death must yield his trust. 

To her our Sire : 
" Yes ! as the Earth unto Spring's summoning voice 
Must give again the flowers that lie at rest 
Within her breast ; no longer can death's halls 
And Earth's dark bosom hold His awful form 
When Heaven shall summon ; as the cloud no more 
Can hold its lightnings if a spear of steel 
Pierces the vapour's depths, nor when, storm-swept, 
The mountain with its streams and soaring pines 
Drains it of all its dread and blasting fires." 
" Yes ! sooner could the heart contain its smiles 
When youth and beauty fondly speak and smile, 
Than could the earth forbear to yield His form 
When loving Heaven calls Him," answered Eve. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 161 

Then re-assuming, Adam thus discoursed : 
" Yes, Death, tho' over myriad forms he still 
His gloomy tyranny may hold, must soon 
Confess th' Almighty's power ; his chilling spell 
At once dissolved, and his stern barriers burst 
Which hold the mighty Son of God enthralled ; 
And this our own uprising grand will pledge. 
When Heaven shall pour its torrent of bright forms, 
Messiah and His angels, down to Earth, then all 
Who in His blessed heart are shrined, shall rise 
Embodied in etherial frames ; as glittering mists 
Spring up to meet the heaven-dyed stream that pours, 
By mercy's bow o'erarched, down towards the cold 
And gloomy depths below. 

Thou, highest Heaven, 
In spiritual brightness throned upon that star 
'Round which the universe revolves, * ope wide 
Thy everlasting gates ! receive thy King ! 
He rises ! on His brow, the gloom of woe. 
All mortal pallors and the shades of death, 
Are scattered by the triumph of that life 
And majesty which His obedience wins, f 
His throne will be the quenchless Sun of love 
That pours its gentle beams upon all hearts 
Which His commands fulfill : And while they fall, 
Love's spirit-flowers will fuller perfume shed, 

* A modern Astronomer has observed a revolution of the systems around 
a point at or near Aldebaran. 

t Is. 53, 12. 

11 



162 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Hope's heaven-ward vine climb higher up the cross, 
And virtue's principles take mightier root, 
And 'gainst temptation's strong tho' subtle powers 
Rear up a nobler stength.' 

Then Eve the theme 
Assuming, thus replied : Ah yes ! how true ! 
And what diviner joy those beams instill ! 
Yea, not alone from hope, or love, or joy 
Flows that subdued but delicate bliss, 
(The spirit of a joy,) which now we feel 
Flooding th' etherial frame ! Did friendship e'er, 
Or love, or genius in its rapturous glow, 
Or the thoughtful hours of science yield 
Pleasure so pure and sweet ? To earth's best bliss, 
The happiness its purest founts dispense,) 
The joys the Spirit and its fruits exhale. 
Are as that Spirit to the fontal stream ; 
The pure and quenchless starlight to the glow 
Flickering and gross of a terrestrial fire ; — 
Or incense of Elysium's deathless flowers 
Unto Earth's common atmosphere. 

" Yea, true ! 
Bless God, belov'd," (our Sire replied,) "this peace 
An earnest is of joy divine ; a proof 
That Christ's atonement is received." Then spoke 
A sweet and earnest being, who, on earth. 
Had borne the name of Lida : " I have known 
A life, in th' twilight of our mortal state 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 163 

As ricli in happiness, perchance, as e'er 

To human lot was given. Amid His bowers. 

Where the soft wind from honey-suckles, pinks 

And from sweet roses wild took airy tribute, — 

The bowers of Love, — from His impassioned lips 

I've drank, in the kindling hours of youth's fond prime. 

His mellowest raptures ; heard His tenderest words, 

The sunniest charm of sentiment ; and images, 

Forged and refined by His own glowing fire. 

Their soft, etherial fascinations lent. 

The calmer flow of matrimonial bliss. 

This has been mine ; and friendship's golden bands, 

I've felt their tender thralls so sweetly clasp 

The heart in bondage ; but I ne'er have known 

A joy inspired with such a delicate zest. 

The soul of happiness, from every stain 

Washed in the dews of Love's elysian vales. 

Who now can question it ? more richly now 

Our gratitude is due to God most high : 

Let angels in their wings waft up to heaven 

The odors of thanksgivings fonder still. 

But will these blessings, His atoning love, 

And the high benefaction of His grace, 

(A pure reviving air unto the soul 

Sin sick and sinking unto endless death), 

The hearts of men persuade to gratitude ? 

To her replied the Patriarch : Yes ; a few 

Will yield the souls to these : but many bound 

In the engrossing worship of themselves, 

Will turn from God and things divine, to stain 



164 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

The fair * complexion of the soul to deep 
And lamentable ugliness : Christ's death 
Some will bereave of sacrificial worth, 
Ignoring all its high, atoning power ; 
Its blood, with them, the sign Oi^., martyrdom, 
But not of justice and redeeming love ; 
Himself esteemed as only man. 

To him 
Sweet Lida answered : Shocking thought ! that they 
Their Lord and Savior thus should contradict 
And proudly scorn His blessings. But our Lord 
Is truly man ; and as all true it is 
That He the only Son, from heaven came down, 
So is it, that, in humble cottage of our frame. 
The glorious Prince resides. What tender ties ; 
What surety of sympathy ; what bland 
And dear embodiment of Deity, 
Of e'en the Father dwelling in the Son, 
(To meet our yearnings, humbled,) now address 
The hearts of men ! 

To her, from distant spheres, 
A spirit pure replied : true ; and now 
And ever more, children of the Earth, 
Bow not to things of silver, gold, or stone ; 
Nor unto airy fancies give the form 
Of human majesty and grace, t' enshrine 

• 'Fair,' as free by nature, of course, from guilt; but not as free from 
depravity disposing to sinful passion and indulgence. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 165 

'Mid blazpnry of pomp divine those shapes ; 
The blinding glory of divinity 
Seeking with vain, preposterous attempt 
To veil in those unterrifying dreams 
Or sculptures wearing man's familiar mien. 
Behold, the Son of God, Himself, appears 
Enrobed in human flesh, assuming, too, 
In union with His own, the human mind, 
Glorious but unforbidding ! as tho' light 
From morning's fresh, melodious skies 
Were blending with some taper's watchful ray 
And softly stealing thro' the curtain's veil 
To cheer some invalid's eye. And do you shrink 
From His most holy mien ? behold. He smiles ! 
His human voice with tenderest accents lowers : 
" If any thirst, come to the founts of life ; 
Ye weary souls, to man's deliverer come ! 
Those fountains spring to everlasting life ; 
That peace and freedom Earth can never give.'' 
Then Adam thus again gave voice to thought : 
Those founts of life man surely will pollute : 
Too vile is he to keep unstained a gift : 
Disdaining, oft, those streams himself to drink, 
He 'fouls them with his feet.' The Virgin pure, 
The Mother of our Lord, they, (ever prone 
To sad idolatry degrading), will lift up 
To god-like majesty ; as queen of heaven 
With sumptuous rites adoring : numerous saints 
Honoring with altars : and with legends false 
And lying miracles corrupting truth 



166 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

"With incrustations villainous, the while 
The earthly, dim-eyed spirit of error gains 
Full many a wink and eulogy and song. 
God can not cause a sun to rise and smile 
With clear, beneJScent splendor on the world, 
But man will stain its brightness ; lovely wreaths 
Rich with white rose-buds and with lilies sweet 
He need must trail in dust and slime and blood ; 
Rank poison stealthily drop in the well 
With purest waters bubbling ; and the page 
Of blazoned volumes spoil with hideous blots. 

Just at that instant, with resplendent wing, 

An angel form descended ; nor did wake 

By his descent surprise in Paradise : 

Why should the star-orbs wonder when they see 

The moon among their shining guard float up ? 

Or Beauty marvel that beside her bowers 

Where jessamines and heliotropes abound 

The sweet and gentle birds should stoop to rest 

In the fir-trees' grateful shad^e. " I come," he spake, 

" From that endeared spot where slept in death 

The mighty Prince who holds the keys of hell. 

Thither the Father sent me, filled with power 

As meteor 'mid the autumnal sky with light : 

Unearthly splendor from my countenance 

Glared on the wakeful guard ; the rocks were rent. 

As though the lightnings tore them ; Nature shrank 

As if in awe : in pale dismay down swooned 

They who had fearless rushed with lifted mace 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 167 

Where, in the crimson agonies of death, 

Valor's heroic sons lay thick as hail, — 

Filling the air with groans. Forth from the cave 

I rolled th' enormous stone. The power of Christ 

Could easily the rocky gate have burst 

And scattered all the bold and sturdy band. 

Rich, golden chasings edge the precious gem, 

Honoring its worth, and centering the gaze 

On its superior loveliness and light : 

So angel-visitations, pomps and songs. 

The blazonry and beauty of the skies, 

Have centred honors on the Son of God, 

And mark Him as Love's Messenger supreme. 

So, as a tribute unto Him who shared 

Man's weaknesses and his temptations thick, 

(Virtue's triumphant Chief), the Father bade 

This splendor His awaking to invest. 

This terror to the vigilant guard ; this sign 

Granted in mercy to the chosen race." 

" Then He is risen," said the First of men, 
" And o'er the shadows and the doom of earth 
He lifts His head triumphant : Now 
Her fadeless palms doth Immortality 
Place in the Victor's hand ! 

To us who grieve. 
Reflecting on His sorrows ; whom the nails 
Which pierced His hands and feet, and whom the scourge 
Crimsoned upon His shoulder, lacerate -, — 



168 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

Who mourned with Mary o'er His bodily form 

In dreamless, lifeless, icy-cold repose, — 

To us this news is like the blush of morn 

To those who 've kept the weary watch for day. 

Who 'd not exult when the rich trumpet-peal, 

Echoing throughout the stately, bannered hall, 

Proclaims to all the anxious hearts within 

That victory with her blushing light has purged 

The darkened honor of their flag, and blazed 

Upon the escutcheon of their house afresh. 

How happy will be her relief who mourned 

A son to death's transcendent suiferings borne ! 

How glad the thought that e'en the sable rule 

From the grim King is snatched ; the awful keys 

Placed in Christ's hands, of Hades' shadowy realms ! 

That, at His throne will suppliant myriads bend ; 

Heaven's seraph-princes hymns of glory chant. 

And sound the honors of the holy Lamb, 

The golden gates of glory opening wide 

To vistas bright with Power's benign displays. 

Yea ; we may well be comforted to think 

That the sad wounds upon His brow are healed 

By wreaths that ever will be fresh. And now 

Let all who mourn be comforted ; let all 

Who writhe in suffering and disgrace take heart ; 

Your thorny bonds the Son of God hath worn ; 

Upon His brow the clouds have darkly gloomed ; 

The steep and flinty paths of virtue show 

The blood-stains of his bold, unwearying feet." 

Then spake another : " I have seen," said he. 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 169 

" A warrior issue from his joyous home 

Where sunny luxury ruled ; I've seen 

The bloom of vigor on his manly cheek 

Fade, like the daylight. Hunger, thirst and toil 

His glowing strength consumed ; and fearful wounds 

Invaded nigh to life's weak citadels : 

But still, reviving, he his steps urged on 

Whither war's flaming meteor did point. 

He loved his sovereign and the cause which called 

Him first from his fond, love-lit, smile-deck'd home ; 

He, therefore, roused his strength, and 'neath his feet 

Trampled temptations to inglorious ease. 

The weary march, in time, was o'er ; and hushed 

The last sterii clash and groan on War's red field : 

Flouted no more the sky its banners rich ; 

On battle's cloud the lightning of the spear 

Was gleaming with its menacing flash no more. 

He conquered. With triumphal swell of song. 

In fame's imposing chariot-march, 'mid smiles, 

He up to honor's canopied seats was raised. 

The King himself placed on his brow a wreath 

Fresh with a dewy beauty, graced with flowers 

Which winter's withering breath ne'er spoiled ; 

While on his hand a signet-ring he set. 

Emblem and stamp of dignity and place." 

While he ceased speaking, a triumphal band 

Passed by in spotless robes, each bearing palms ; 

The air was burdened with rich strains ; a crown, 

Dazzling and beautiful, above a cross 

On high was borne, a type of victory, 



170 THE SHADOWY LAND. 

And emblem of illustrious power now won : 

While peaceful flags, witli rich embroidery wrought 

( Or what resembled it,) with holy doves 

And olive-branches cunningly worked in, 

Like to the gorgeous clouds of sunset blazed. 

The Son of God, arisen from the tomb, 

His followers cheered, (showing His hands. His feet, 

His side ;) 'till Heaven, in jealousy of Earth, 

Snatched the illustrious Victor to the climes 

Of deathless bliss and glory. Its bright gates. 

Formed of rich, carved and many-tinted pearl. 

Oped with the swell of mighty, choral hymns 

Poured forth from myriad horns of mellow tone ; 

While voices sweet and clear as love and joy 

Could make them, gushed in liquid eloquence, 

A nectared stream. Thicker than the trees 

In the wild forest, stood the angel-throngs 

To greet the Son of God, Responsive choirs 

In music vied. Upon His father's throne, 

With burst magnificent from countless lips 

And harps of golden song, Messiah sat. 

Above Him bent the bow of mercy. Bright 

Before him, seven candlesticks of gold 

Awaited their symbolic fires. Fair stars 

Of princeliest splendor in the ranks of Heaven 

Did reverence to the Son ; and every voice 

Joined in the mighty chorus ; while ' Amen ' 

The living types of providential rule 

Responded ; and responding, showed that God 

By His mysterious acts confirmed the laud 



THE SHADOWY LAND. 171 

That ' worthy was the Lamb.' evermore, 
All glorious Bridegroom, reign ! and grant 
To us who serve Thee triumph in Thy day 
Which shines like morning thro' the awful clouds 
That 'round the present and the future gloom. 
Thus to the pealing anthem we here add 
Our humble voice ; with poetry and breath 
Of melody we waft to Thee our praise. 
Thus this festoon, wreathed of wild forest-green, 
Decked with the wild flowers of the forest-paths, 
We bind around Thine altar : even if poor 
And void of splendor, odorless 'tis not : 
Accept, we pray, the giver and the gift. 



FINIS. 



172 NOTE. 



NOTE. 



The idea of writing a poem upon the subject employed in the 
Epic found in this volume was conceived quite a number of years 
since, and was mentioned to the late Rev. John W. Brown of 
Astoria, L. I., and one or two others. The theme having been 
warmly approved by one or more to whom I communicated it, 
and still commending itself to the author's judgment, the poem 
was begun ; and, in a period of leisure, some years ago, was 
advanced nigh unto completion. Afterwards, a year or two, 
perhaps, having elapsed, (not to say several,^ it was carried to 
New York with a view to its being finished and published. I 
determined to delay publication ; and on returning found that 
Rev. Mr, Lord had just put forth a poem on the same subject. 
My knowledge of this came through a criticism in the Churchman. 
From this notice I perceived that both had borrowed some por- 
tion, at least, of the design from Milton, Of Mr. Lord's production 
I have never seen a single line. The borrowing of Milton will 
explain any resemblance in general features, if there is any 
worthy of remark ; nothing was borrowed from Mr. Lord. 
Milton, it has been thought, may have copied some features, if 
not the main design of " Paradise Lost " from a Peninsular bard. 
Can any antiquarian in Spanish and Portuguese literature render 
this probable, and show the extent to which, (ii at all,) the 
Author of that majestic poem has thence derived the scheme of 
his immortal production ? Scripture language fin the old and 
new Testament) furnishes so much to him that we may well 
doubt whether he sought elsewhere. Take the following passa- 



NOTE. 173 

ges as proof : " The angels which kept not," &c., Jude 6th v. 
2d Peter, 2d c, 4 v., "And there was war in heaven," &c., Rev. 
12, t. " How art thou fallen from heaven " &c., Isaiah. " Sin, 
when it hath conceived, bringeth forth death," St. Paul. "They 
sacrificed to devils" &c,. Moses' Song. One or two of these 
only figuratively had reference to the subject, but were sugges- 
tive. This being the case, that the Scriptures furnished con- 
siderable of the plan, (more than some suppose,) there is no 
great harm if others, also, should borrow from Milton in turn, if 
credit is duly allowed as to the source. The passage in one of 
the Epistles where Christ is spoken of as having triumphed over 
the powers of opposition, " making a show of them openly," has 
been thought to shadow forth mysterious events. It, doubtless, 
refers to his moral victory, while on Earth, over temptation, 
Satan and the force of persecution ; but might be adduced as 
furnishing a ground of a certain portion of the scheme of this 
production now made public. That this work may prove one of 
the many moral and spiritual forces to prosecute that spiritual 
conquest of the Redeemer in the shadowy fields of the minds and 
hearts of some is the humble prayer of the Author, Let not 
critics make comparisons : why should not the lover of nature in 
any given spot be allowed to describe the romance and beauty 
of those moderate hills and vales which he, in his limited range 
has visited, without being reminded how much superior are the 
mountains of other lands ; how magnificently they tower above 
valleys of sweeter repose and greener loveliness ? May not the 
fire-fly illumine some recess of the thicket without provoking a 
comparison between his dim, fitful sparkling and the splendor of 
those vast and eternal orbs which light and warm the universe ? 
In reference to the " machinery " used in this production, it 
may not be amiss to remind some that the introduction of per- 



174 NOTE. 

Bonifications is considered allowable in poems where the scene is 
laid in the spirit-land, or, at least, is not in such case, strictly 
forbidden by the laws of poetry. It has been perceived that the 
beginning of the plot or narration is introduced, as is oft the 
case, in narrations occurring not in the first portion of the poem . 
The author is aware that productions of this department ought 
not to be found deficient either in elevation and greatness of 
theme, unity of action, variety of character, illustration of ten- 
derer, nobler feelings as well as of the sterner and darker 
passions, — in Episodical diversion &c. Sound moral and Chris- 
tian sentiments, if discovered, may, with some minds, atone in a 
measure for literary defects. Were the Author now for the first 
to compose a poem on this theme which he has taken, he would, 
perhaps, construct a plot considerably different from that em- 
ployed. 

It may be not amiss, before closing, to subjoin a protest against 
the neglect of proper legislation on the subject of international 
copyright ; and to express the desire that justice may be done 
to the literary profession, and that their claims to universal and 
perpetual copyrights may here and elsewhere be legally acknow- 
ledged. How long will Authors be compelled to deplore the 
neglect of their rights and interests in this enlightened nineteenth 
century ! Let us no longer allow the short-sighted and some- 
what material views of ages past to rule. To concede the legiti- 
mate and wise claims of the literary profession is not only a just 
duty but public, and for the general interest. 



THE DIGNITY AND TRIUMPHS OF MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL 

CULTURE. 



PBONOUNCED BEFOHE THE ALUMNI OF HAMILTON COLLEGE, CLINTON, N. Y. 

If flying back along the stream of Time, 

Bouyed by the floating calm of History's wing, 

We note what themes of wonder and delight, 

Impregnate with a spicy interest warm, 

Have dwelt on human lips, and charmed the flow 

Of honorary song, we find that strength. 

The wrestler's power and skill, the warrior's heart 

(That burning dwelling of heroic thoughts 

That leap from out the flame to action bold,) 

And beauty's wildering charms have all been sung. 

Nor has the poet's fire been ovei-looked. 

And been unlike the Parsee's sacred blaze. 

Which at a reverent distance is adored. 

The frowning majesty of the tragic muse, 

And stately genius of the epic verse, 

With long historic argument worked o'er 

With many a rich tho' chaste embroidery ; 

These were with full and starry honors crown'd : 

And Oratory, — wreaths of noble fame 

Fresh from the margin of Castalian springs 

Were woven for her high and gifted sons ! 

Lofty the marbles and deep-graved the lines 



176 MOEAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 

Where immortality their names inscribed. 
But ah ! almost unknown in classic days 
Was sacred virtue's flame ; the zeal that mounts 
Upon the wings of faith and prayer and love, 
Scorning the dull and murky air of sense, 
And with melodious yearnings seeking heaven. 
For, pausing ere her upward, rapturous flight, 
True, meek-eyed piety, 'mid incense sweet 
And smoke of typic lambs, low-bowed to earth 
Where Jordan's and where Cedron's waters flow, — 
Where Truth's eternal light streamed down on men, 
like a smile from God. 

Of highest dignity 
Are the man's moral culture and his mind's. 
How noble are the spiritual powers of man ! 
Glorious by nature and by culture joined. 
His spirit's like a fane of marble wrought, — 
The rich reliefs and blazonry around 
Of loved imagination ; temple fit 
For high and grand oblation, incense rich 
And music wafting (both) Religion's soul 
Upon their volumes sweet ! (There Heaven claims 
That a pure altar shall be raised to God, 
The lights of faith and vigilance be lit 
To glow with glory quenchless as night's eyes, — 
And incense of affection ever burned 
And sweetening thro' the spirit-air of life.) 
And, like a stately hall tTie human mind. 
Where chambers, galleries, niches are prepared 



MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTUEB. 177 

With Art's enchanting beauties to be graced 
And Wisdom's forms august, — bright in the air 
Where Music flows with its impassioned swell 
Welcome as radiance soft o'er statues great. 
As grand the stars, so wondrous are their rays : 
The gifts are noble of the mind and soul ; 
Man's lofty nature they aloud proclaim ; 
Heralds with golden trumpets, they announce 
The dignity and wealth of their great liege. 
See ! how the powers exalted linger yet 
Within that mind by sin and suffering marred ; 
As though amid some ancient temple ruined 
The former deity were lingering still, 
At times to whisper oracles. 

The mind 

Beneath the care of culture grows and grows. 
With strength and dignity enriched. How high 
In glory then its triumphs are ! The field. 
How noble ! 'Tis this boundless world. 
Unto the kindling eye of Science oped 
In all its far and strange magnificence. 
Thought springs aloft upon the paths which worlds 
Pursue in their unwearying, trackless march. 
The mysteries of their size, relations, times. 
Are sought out and revealed ; and e'en the scenes 
Decking one orb are known. The living world 
Next claims man's eager scrutiny : the high 
August philosophy of mind ; the fields 
In order and mysterious beauty, set 
12 



178 MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 

With mental and with moral powers, engage 

His observation with delight ; the founts 

Of great affections that soar up towards heaven, 

The tender glows whose objects are on Earth ; 

The springs of pity and of hope and joy ; — 

The seat of conscience, monitor from God, 

And its high oflSces benign, all these 

Win his profoundest study. Glorious Art, 

Her laws and beautiful philosophy 

Absorb the mind's strong powers, and triumphs grand 

A.nd rich attest the gifts superb. The forms. 

Godlike and glorious, filling earth's high seats. 

Or honored as the deities, start up. 

The wonder of all time ; the types of power, 

Imbodiments of song, of wisdom, love 

And all that men hold sacred. 

Breathing life, 
The canvass, too, glows with the cultured skill 
That summons countless groups t' appear and charm 
The eyes of all that see : The Virgin meek 
The Anointed Son in every phase of life 
Now smiling as the child, now wakening power 
Which stills the sufferer's pain; now sitting sad, 
(As Lenardo drew,) among the twelve. 
Breaking the emblems of the Bread from heaven. 
Or, on the cross, or lowered from its height. 
Or rising all-triumphant to his throne. 
Man's varied occupations ; peace and war ; 
" The course of Empire " and " the voyage of life," 



MOEAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTUEE. 179 

With all Earth's scenes of grandeur and soft grace, — 
And chief, designs that teach us lessons high, 
And woo our hearts to virtue and to God, — 
All these, conceived by genius and suffused 
With truth and grace and hues harmonious glow 
In the mimic world which Art creates. 

The air ! 
This soft, etherial element must breathe 
Its sweet confession of the power of man, — 
Waked by his skill to music. Hark ! the strains 
Of great Beethoven, monarch of the lyre ! 
The music of the intellect and heart. 
Charming the earj to wake immortal fame, — 
As guised in song's bewildering sweetness, dreams 
Of sadness, mystery, lofty power and love 
And tearful supplication charm the soul. 
And others with a like high rapture filled, 
Hymning " creation's " work, and love supreme 
Of the Anointed Prince, Te Deum's full. 
And varied themes claimed or by earth or heaven, 
Have shown how silence yields or discord harsh 
To their fine magic, — how the hearts of men 
Are captive held by complex bonds of song. 

No second place to the bard's triumphs we 
Must here accord ; nor leave unnoted now 
The varied fields of eloquence or verse ; 
Of " verse " which teacheth wisdom to the soul ; 
In honied luxury of language, shrining fair 



180 MOEAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTUEE. 

Wisdom of heaven and earth, — and sentiments, — 
The blossoms of the heart in hours of joy, 
And all the odors it doth yield when crushed, — 
The fascinating life of passion, dread 
And dark, and sweet and fond and pure. 

There is a field which, also, shows how high 

In dignity the triumphs of the mind : 

How noble ! 'Tis the human heart 

With all the varied passions that e'er play. 

Ceaseless and shadowy, like the unsunned streams 

That murmur thro' the subterranean caves ; 

The field, too, is the intellect of man. 

His thoughts, his schemes, affections, hopes, 

'Tis over all that cultivated mind 

Beholds its triumphs brighten. As its powers 

So finely character'd in the mintage rare 

Are the best heritage of man ; its gifts 

With seeds and fragrance of etherial life most rich ; — 

As its mysterious faculties we own 

Noblest and most irradiate with the light 

Of the angelic world o'erflowing from 

The golden founts of Heaven's eternal fires 

Upon these Earthly climes ; as nothing springs 

More glorious or lovely 'neath the words 

Of man's determined will, by grace aroused. 

And by the earnest calls of hallowed mind. 

Than the fair frame of holy principle 

And virtues great which are thereby sustained, 

(Which Heaven in chief commands, and crowns in love,)- 



MOEAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTUEE. 181 

No nobler victories, no more grand success 
Our wonder claim than those of hallowed mind, 
Arrayed with triumph's fairest blazonries. 
How high its dignity, — august, serene ! 
To Christian virtue it is given to sway 
By truth's eternal energies, — (enforced 
By the unseen and mystic breath of grace) 
The bosoms by the dark dominion claimed 
Of sin and Satan. Holy Love ! Her voice 
With high, impassioned eloquence aloud 
Proclaims her great and wondrous verities, 
And calls with tender power unto the soul ; 
Then new designs, — then new and warm resolves 
Are formed : gross passions change to pure 
'Mid penitential tears ; and earnest prayers, — 
(Upborne upon the wings of Faith that scorn 
This lower world ;) then, prayers and thanks 
Arise to God : As when on dark, low vales 
"Where fogs unwholesome brood the live-long night, 
The sweet and potent radiance of day 
Descends and conquers ; up the height 
Flaming with heavenly light, they rise and seek 
The embracing skies. 

And hallowed mind, lit up 
With a coal from heaven's pure altars sees 
Its triumphs brighten over moral ills ; 
And the dark harvests which are sown 
Are trampled down : The cup of woe is spilled : 
Some lurid chambers in the shades of death 



182 MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTUEE. 

Where sin will weep her agonies, are left 
Hopeless of tenants ; Heaven prepares new seats 
Of dignity and power ; new fruitage blooms 
Upon her everlasting trees, to meet 
New lips entitled to her quenchless joys : 
Her starry company prepares new orbs 
To welcome to their bright, melodious throng ; 
While fuller music trembles thro' her domes, 
And fuller clouds of incense sweeten there 

And now I will a Tale rehearse in brief 
Which will show forth how great a height 
In power and dignity may piety 
And mental culture reach, their mien aloft 
Bearing 'mid fadeless signs of triumph high. 

Within a loathsome den of sin, where want 
With fierce and haggard aspect glared, a babe 
New-born amid uncleanly straw, was laid. 
Ah ! wretched lot, amid such scene as that 
At first to ope the eye, and hear alone, 
As Earth's first sounds, the gusts of furious strife 
And bitter tones of imprecation ! Spring 
Waved not her lovely blossoms in its sight ; 
Nor warbling birds the sweet air stirred and filled 
The innocent's listening ear with music. Soon 
When darkness veiled the land, the mother bore 
That wretched bird from a branch corrupt of life, 
And left it shivering in the damp night breeze. 
Disease her miseries with its earliest throb 



MOEAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 183 

Had mingled liberally ; how could it live, 

Abused by chill and reckless winds 'till morn 

'Till morn it lived ; but life was flickering low : 

A passer-by beheld the dying one, 

And bore unto the warmth his charge. Then life 

To a bolder pulse awoke ; and kindly care 

Subdued the venoms of disease. Its mind 

Oped 'neath the teachings of a generous zeal 

As blossoms ope beneath the summer's glow. 

Moved by the grace of Heaven and kindly words 

And his own prudence, he began to tread 

In virtue's mountain-pathway, scorning crime. 

In time upon his noble brow thought reigned 

And lofty graces brightened there : And they 

Who saw their tokens, with profound esteem 

And admiration glowed. They could but give 

Honor and station. Now the crowd he swayed, 

As the winds from the mountain-gorge the woods 

In the vale below it sway ; or, as the light 

Of summer's kindling skies the harvest rules, — 

With generous virtues and substantial good 

Bidding the corn and fruits to swell. A throng. 

Won by the truth robed in his eloquence. 

Bent to the same bright founts to drink 

As those which had sublimed and cleansed his soul : 

And God from his far throne of glory smiled. 

And loved the minister of his " saving health." 

The beautiful and lovely of the earth 

Their smiles, too, lavished on that noble one. 

And paid their homage at fair virtue's shrine, 



184 MOEAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 

Lit up with priceless thouglits. And when at last, 

Beside his couch the King of terrors stood, 

And breathed his chill and dizzying blast that still'd 

Soon, in his pulseless apathy, the play 

Of life's mysterious motions, thousands mourned, 

And bade rich music sound a deep lament ; 

Her stately halls of marble Justice veiled, 

And Power her courts magnificent did shroud ; 

In the dim temple a commanding tomb 

Honored his name with forms of glorious grace 

Starting to life from their cold, marble sleep, 

Beneath the touch of genius, to proclaim 

Those lofty virtues and a nation's grief. 

In a still, holy night, I had the grace 

His glory in a heavenly world to see ; 

Futurity her awful scroll unrolled. 

And lifted up her thick, dark curtains : High 

Seated in triumph 'mid eternal light, 

I saw his spirit on a snowy seat, 

Girt with the bright signs of seraphic power ; 

And angels (once the pure and blest) there heard 

Their everlasting judgments from his mouth ; * 

While the once-crucified, illustrious King 

His sentence dread approved. Before Heaven's throne. 

I saw him 'mid high seraphs stand august, 

And myriads listened to his princely lips,t 

• " Know ye not that we shall judge angels." — St. Paul. 

t Thrones, dominions, principalities and powers. — Col. 1, 16. Ep. 1, 21. 
Rev. 3, 21, 2 Tim. 2, 12 



MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 185 

And flew afar to execute his words, 

His banner bearing to creation's bounds. 

The fountains of immortal life their spray 

Flung near his palace-walls ; the ancient great 

Acknowledged him their compeer ; and Heaven's works 

To his bright, searching mind their secrets gave ; 

And in those revelations deep he drank 

Such joy as only loftier minds and blest 

Can ever know. His mystical 'white stone ' 

With a new name engraved thereon, the King 

Gave as a precious badge of honor ; full 

With the "hidden manna" were his stores ; and thou, 

bright and morning Star of Heaven, thy beams. 

Thy lovely smiles were his ; — his soul 

Flooding with truth and deathless happiness. 

" But this," you say, "is fiction :" It is truth 

Arising in imaginative guise. 

So far as their career to mortal eyes 

Is made apparent, see th' exalted course 

Of some who have in sober truth the earth 

Trodden in visible form. Behold 

A Leighton, Paley, Chalmers, great in fame, 

Whose intellects and virtues still their light 

Shed o'er the paths of human life ; the way 

Which Heaven hath opened to the founts of life, 

Though cramped and thorny, yet with flowers besprent, 

With holy eloquence declaring. See 

" The mill boy of the slashes " risen on high 

By the strong power of mind and morals borne 

To a grand, glory-circled seat of fame ; 



186 MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 

Thither flow christian sympathies, and rise 
The honors which, to cultured genius, man 

Wafts with the ardent breath of admiration, 

Circling these eminent orbs with golden clouds. 

Nor unforgotten, mingling sacred life 

With the strong labor of their mental power, 

As dawn's soft splendors with Spring's swollen streams, — 

Behold the Revolution's Chief ! and see, 

On whom the mantle of his glories fell. 

In later times, an Adams and a Randolph, join'd 

With Jefferson the patriot and the sage. 

With other names that unto various fields 

Have been associated with high praise, 

With noble music from the golden trump 

Thro' which Fame's star-crowned genius pours her breath 

And bids her song reecho down the years.* 

Or, looking to an earlier day, the names. 

Confessed illustrious and sweetly-voiced 

Upon the lips of sacred fame, may here 

Your memories supply, and wreathe with those 

That to our time belong ; a Taylor, Clarke, 

And Butler, Locke and Calmet, Wilson, Keith, 

And those of earlier date e'er yet more known ; 

And Wordsworth, Southey, Hemans, Browning, — names 

That we may link with those whose hallowed lives 

Burned brightly in our climes, or still burn bright. 

And married genius unto sacred love. 

* Among recent incidents brought to light in regard to Jefferson, my 
Impression is that he was observed in his later years, in his retirement, going 
forward to the Eucharist , 



MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 187 

Then, if such radiant honors rise to greet 

Those who esteem that treasure in the mind 

Which Heaven has given them, and seek to fix 

Upon its powers, of cultured taste the stamp, 

And offer up its energies refined 

(Ambrosial fruits,'with deathless flowers entwined) 

A sacrifice upon the altars high 

Which pure religion rears, — if such 

The honors that to those arise, — how well 

May strong desires assert a fiery rule 

O'er the heart's empire, and thus prompt our minds 

To follow where the noblest sons of earth 

Have gone in hallowed industry, the path 

To virtue's deathless glory passing o'er, 

There leaving prints which Time admiring spares ! 

But, chiefly, since the voice of duty calls, — 

Bidding us wash our souls in that blest fount 

Where human guilt is purged away, and clothe 

Our spirits purified in vesture sweet. 

Modest and beautiful, of holy deeds. 

And garnish them with wisdom's noblest thoughts, 

Gems of undarkening lustre from Truth's mines. 

Now, of that company of virtues fair 

That spring from principle in life and power,-— 

A chosen three there are which sacred lips 

Have honored in one breath, "Faith, Hope and Love." 

With pensive countenance doth Faith 

Lift up her holy eyes to Heaven, and sees 

Thro' prophecy's mysterious glass the scenes 

Which brighten and aggrandize future time. 



188 MOEAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 

Subduing prejudice, lier willing mind 

The potent truth receives, as doth the soil 

Kindly and warm embrace the living seed, — 

Or, as the mirror of the eye receives 

The grateful image of the friend we love. 

She welcomes Him whom prophecies and powers 

Attest as mightiest Prophet, Priest and King. 

The animation of her soul e'er prompts 

The hand and lip to action ; holy Trust 

Is purified by sacrificial blood, 

And walks in stainless beauty, justified 

By Him who on the holy rood stretched out 

Both arms abroad, as if to embrace in love 

All faithful penitents whom Heavenly grace 

Wooed to His pierced side. 

Fair, heavenly Hope ; — 
She, too, a place of eminence receives ; 
Who, nurtured by the hands of faith and love, 
By a bright, golden power y' sways the heart : 
She dreams delighted of rewards to come ; 
To that grand, hallowed kingdom, future yet. 
In which the saints begin their triumphs, — Hope, 
Points with irradiate smiles, encouraging. 
And winning man to persevere till death. 
How fond and sweet in hues the scenes she paints ! 
Then, last and greatest. Holy Love appears, 
With looks that glow with kindly power. 
And lips whence amiable words flow forth 
And truths most precious and most sweet, as gush 



MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 189 



The nectared drops refulgent with heaven's light, 

From lips of opening flowers. Her hands 

Are decorated with fair gifts, which soothe 

And cheer the sad ; the famished bless her steps • 

And circle her with grateful prayers to Heaven ; 

So that her name, suffused with rosy light 

And fragrant like the blossoms of choice fruit 

That call to mind the fruit itself, is framed 

'Mid loving memories in the minds of all. 

Her feet will press the pavements of that realm 

Where Love's great King of many crowns will sit 

Dispensing fadeless life and joy : Her eye 

Will drink the smiles of that abounding day, 

And her voice join its melody ! These three, 

Radiant and beautiful, should chiefly draw 

Our heart's best yearnings, and command our powers, 

As the three lovely hues of light draw lorth 

Nature's green, bloomy offerings in Spring. 

By faith and hope and love ; let us our souls 

Address for labors noble and success ; 

The varied marble of the mind to grace 

And dignity y' polishing : Thus, mighty power 

For influence on earth, rewarded in that world 

Which still the Future's cloudy curtains veil, — 

Thus, mighty power is won and strengthened. Slow, 

As in their work the patient builders toil. 

From day to day, layers on layers rise ; 

Each summer, as the early rising sun 

Looks thro' the golden casements of the East, 

He sees the temple's fabric soaring higher 



190 MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 

Till the last sparkling crest is fixed 

Upon the lofty towers : So rises strong 

And grand and beautiful the form 

Of the minds' noble fane, — built up and rich 

With christian piety and mental power. 

As mists, faint-outlined, 'rising from a lake. 

Gather, from hill to hill, new wreaths of cloud 

And summon mighty winds to bear them on ; 

Unrolling, now, in noonday's blaze their folds, — 

To charm the eye and beautify the scene ; 

JYow, hurling to the ground the forms decayed 

Of monarchs in the woods, as darkly on 

They rush tumultuous, darting their dread fires, — 

So grow the powers of mind ; till strong and grand 

In noble glory, they delight the world, 

Diffusing light and gladness far around ; 

Or, on the mission of destruction winged, 

The hoary forms of error, weak at heart. 

Confess the lightnings of their power and zeal, 

And sink to ruin. Then, in the faith 

That to our steady perseverance, mind, 

Its rudiments of marvellous power aroused. 

In strength superb will grow, — the soul 

By God's good help will whiten and shine fair 

With brightning hues of piety, let us 

For duty's sake, for honor's man's and heaven 

(Which from afar the shining guerdon shows,) 

Resolve with cultured graces and with power 

In thoughts' mysterious laboratory fined, — 

With principles and feelings pure and quick 



MOEAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 191 

With the soft, fluttering life of love, the sweet 
And holy, to inform our souls, and thus 
The spiritual edifice built up. 

Faint not ! 
The pinion of the eagle young, though now 
But feebly fluttering in the dust, may yet 
Float high in majesty, battling the gusts 
On th' stormy verge of th' dizzy mountain's crest. 
I saw, in visions of the day, choice gems ; 
And men of curious skill did polish them. 
They grew as doth a thing of life, and shone 
As if lit up within, the while their art 
Was spent upon them. Like the wond'rous lamps 
Which light the halls of some fair, rapturing dream ; 
They dwelt upon the sight. In learned courts 
Of Justice and of State, some shed their glows ; 
Fixing the eyes of all, — in splendor strong : 
Some in the temples of religion were lit up : 
And some in Learning's curious, pensive shades. 
I saw a scar-marked hand from upper air 
Reveal its shape distinct, and touch their fires 
With what did brighten them ; (that kindly hand ! 
Whose very scars did grace its beauty, as 
The crimson spots burnt on the lovely cheek 
Of some ripe fruit its loveliness enhance ; 
Or, as purple stains enrich the morning sky.) 
While thus new heavenly influence glowed in them, 
A wakening, quickening, and yet softening power 
Went forth on forms whereon the radiance fell. 



192 MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE. 



The mien and aspects thus suffused were changed, — 

Anxiety awoke, and lulled to calm ; 

The stern expressions softened to bland smiles, 

Or looks of hope and love. Upon the waves, 

Tossing without in turbulence and wrath, 

There shot strong rays of that fair, holy light, 

And they were lulled ; the angry moan was hushed, 

Or wailed less boisterous on the castled shores. 

And where erratic stars had left their seats. 

Vacant and rayless in the sapphire halls, — 

Those large and polished gems, of fire-like glow, 

"Were borne aloft by angel-hands and set 

In heaven's cerulean dome to burn for aye : 

Whilst thou, perennial Spirit of Song ! didst chant 

A famous lay to praise their grace and worth 

And the blest influence of their wondrous light. 

Long lingering in its lovely power on earth. 

There are grand triumphs which the soul will share ; 

There is an honor which will light the sky 

Of its eternal future ; victories won 

O'er death and sin and Satan, and o'er woe. 

There is a flower which, watered by our tears, 

Buds in our mortal life, but blooms not now. 

There is a fruit whose odors we may scent 

Which never gushes 'twixt the lips on earth. 

There is a flight the soul's mysterious wing 

Can never take while in this mortal frame. 

There is another land afar, where feet 

Which have in sweet and holy pathways walked 

While men were pilgrims in this earlier life. 



MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTUEE. 193 

Shall yet be welcomed ; welcomed they shall be 

More warmly, joyously, in truth, than he 

Who, worn with war and laurel-crowned, returns 

To his paternal, bannered hall that rings 

The while with music. Hearer ! walk while here 

In clear-eyed faith, in trust and love, — 

And thou in that land (if to thee a far 

And foreign, not a cold, forbidding shore) 

Shalt see the King in His grand beauty ; there. 

At His bright marriage-supper sit, a guest 

"Welcomed and peaceful, loved for evermore. 



13 



PROVIDENCE. 

PRONOUNCED BEFORE THE SIGMA PHI, ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR 

SOCIETY IN GENERAL CONVENTION AT HOBART FREE COLLEGE, GENEVA, 

N. Y., JULY, 1855. 

From out the phantom-tlirong, which to the eye 

Of the dreaming poet doth appear when dim 

The daylight flickers, and the freshening winds 

Of inspiration rouse the ashy coals 

Of thought and feeling till they sparkle bright, — 

From out the throng of themes I now invoke 

One of a grand and solemn mien. Before my eye 

August it rises ; as amid a crowd 

Of gay and smiling aspect, some grave shape, 

A spirit from another world, appears. 

And shedding 'round a strange, unearthly light. 

Unfolds its solemn wings and wins the eye. 

Thoughtful and grave should ever be the hour. 

When on the " Ways of Providence " the mind 

Would dwell ; when it would send pale reason's ray 

To fly afar as a venturous beam athwart 

The dark and clouded ocean of that theme ; 

When as a mounting cherub it would dare 

To rise in contemplation toward that seat 

O'erflooded with the blaze of that dread Power 

Which in life's ordinary wavering course. 



PROVIDENCE. 195 



Or by a special intervention crowns with good 

Golden and crimsoned with Heaven's smile of love, 

And wings the hopes with joy, or disciplines 

With suffering and loss ; now, unto power 

And dignity, and bliss exalting high, 

And binding triumph's arch with wreaths of gold ; — 

Now, opening the dismal, black abyss 

To engulf the hoary pomp of empires, thrones. 

And Error's antique citadels bethronged 

With her array of frowning warriors stern. 

Nursing their tyrannous hate and love of wrong. 

The wisdom and the strength of Heaven rules ; 

The armies of the skies, earth's habitants, 

All 'neath the power of that great sceptre dwell ; 

Its beams, like lightnings, pierce the awful shades 

Where Death's mysterious empire spreads, 

And Thought lies slumbering like a frozen stream ; 

It there maintains unchallenged sway, to wake 

By one resistless flash of force divine 

The pulseless life of the departed ones 

To joy and honor, — or to bid them still 

In the untrodden halls of silence rest 

In mystic trance, reserved for judgments dread. 

Yea, to her deepest heart must Hell herself 

Shudder to hear its thunder-peals of wrath ; 

And e'en the councils of lost spirits own 

The awful might of that great sceptre, gloom. 

Imprisonment and woes dispensing at Heaven's will. 

Doth not His Word affirm it, which declares 

Heaven is God's throne. His footstool Earth ; 



196 PROVIDENCE. 



He makes alive and He destroys ; He " light " 

Pours out in blushing beauty on the night 

Of human life ; and He that light again 

O'erwhelms 'mid " darkness," pierced with wails of woe ;* 

Shrouding the blooms of life in freezing gloom. 

Joy's fine elixir, sparkling to the brim, 

The thirsty sand of low despondency 

Drinks utterly up, when down cast by His hand. 

" He overturns and overturns," to bring 

From wild confusion order fair : the frame 

(Tho' it had many a storm defied) — the frame 

Of many nations " shaking," and the august courts 

Of ancient empires hurling to the ground. 

With all their hoary, ivy-grown defence, 

That other forms of civic might may rise. 

Inscribed with mottoes fair of clemency. 

The shrines or homes of truth and righteousness ! 

The tender branches of the living vine 

He prunes with keen affliction's edge, that fruit, 

Which finely mantles with the hues of heaven, 

Richer and more abundant, may adorn 

Those branches fed by such a glorious stock. 

A kindly shepherd. He His faithful flock 

Protects with watchful care ; or, with dark storms, 

Gloomy with heavenly justice, doth avenge 

The wrongs which they have borne. He opes. 

Won by the pleadings of sweet Mercy's soul. 

The hand which feeds the universe, and thus 

* See Isa. xiv. 7 ; John xv. 2 ; Rev. iii. 9, 10. 



PROVIDENCE. 197 



Their cravings cease — in comfort they repose ; 

And softly 'round their slumber evening draws 

Her curtains light and prompts their peaceful dreams 

The plant of ample shade His hand hath set 

(His holy Church,) this will He not forsake ; 

Yea ; sooner will their bases grand the hills : 

He will not fail, nor be discouraged, till 

The course of "judgment " for the cause of truth 

And Zion in the blaze and triumph fair 

Of " victory " ends — by music of the earth, 

And by the choral raptures of the skies 

In concord hymned. " The fine gold," now 

" Grown dim," shall yet be purified, tho' fire 

Its dross shall purge away. 

These truths accord 
With Reason's teachings : Who shall say a king. 
Whose sovereignty and glory shone like day, 
Would sit upon his throne and yet not rule 
A province when rebellious, while his power. 
Exulting and magnificent, despised 
All opposition ? Who will say a king 
Would not the shields of his protection cast 
About his subjects — loving, ever true — 
Gladden the brave, devoted hearts with draughts 
From glory's fresh, exhilarating springs. 
And 'neath the canopy of a rich reward 
Sculptured and blazoned with their honors won, 
Those who have served him well in plenty seat ? 
And He whose providence we sing is King, 



198 PROVIDENCE. 



Supreme in majesty, the dazzling Sun 

Among the lesser, glimmering stars of power : 

Wisdom and might confess in Him their source 

And awful Shrine of glory ; goodness there 

And justice dwell at home. The Love Divine — 

That goodness which stretched forth the starry skies. 

And bade the Sun a golden reign assert 

Throughout his group of worlds, and kindly smile 

Upon Earth's face, until she smiled again, 

And blushed (with loveliness of flowers and fruits) — 

That goodness which hath gemmed man's noble brow 

With the bright circlet of its faculties ; 

Which oped the crimson founts for guilt, unbarred 

That door to Paradise where Mercy stands 

With radiant finger beckoning, the woe 

And travail of the worn, disheartened one. 

Cheering with Hope's celestial melodies — 

That goodness doth assure, that power Divine 

Will with a providential influence guide 

The spiritual ark amid life's rushing tides. 

And in the paths to endless peace direct 

The interest of Zion and her sons. 

Such, sacred history's grand, momentous voice ; 

And such the voice of Nature : moral rule 

Is taught by law's dominion through her realm. 

And mystery's veil that Providence may wrap ; 
Nor need we wonder, when we see how dark 
And mystical the movements are which Heaven 
Has ordered in rich Nature's wondrous realm : 



PROVIDENCE. 199 



What mystery in the forest-tree resides, 

From its first flower unto the leafy pomp 

Which wins the romping peasants to the shade, 

Made doubly grateful by the noonday chant, 

Voiced by the birds which rest at home above. 

What mystery dwelleth in the rose, transformed 

From bud to blossom, yielding to the seed. 

Which sprouts and grows, until the eye again 

Is charmed with grace, the sense with fragrance rich ! 

And what dark mystery envelops life, 

From its dim rudiments to its forms mature ! 

The egg, beneath maternal plumage warmed. 

Changing to shapes instinct with passion, sense. 

Intelligence, which rise and float with grace 

And lustrous beauty in the air — this bids 

The mind to ponder how God's " thoughts are deep," 

The perfect gems which low, 'neath ocean lie, 

" Though the unwise doth not consider this." 

With divers fragile forms that wing the air — 

(The tinted, delicate vignettes in Nature's book,) 

The " gray gnat " and the butterfly proclaim. 

While in the summer breeze they float at will 

In sparkling coquetry with leaves and flowers, 

A lesson of the mystic wisdom seen 

In their strange, charming changes.* How doth man 

Move as another glorious evidence ! 

That polished shrine, with fire of genius lit, 

• The "grey gnat" undergoes two changes ; in two states, it is a water 
insect ; what is its head, in one aquatic state, becomes its tail in another ; 
and vice versa. 



200 PROVIDENCE. 



Was once but as the quarry-fragments rude. 
Such are the mystic changes Nature knows : 
And such the depth and mystery which pertain 
To the beauteous problem in her book displayed. 
Mysterious darkness ; there the sage's lamp 
Emits a ray that deeper makes the shade. 
We need not wonder, then, if shadows dense 
Should o'er the plans of Providence repose ; 
That man its means and operations dark 
Cannot explain ; or that his lantern dim 
Should fail to light that vast and awful realm 
Of mystery. 

By natural law 'tis oft 
(As all can witness at their will) 
That Providence works out its wise designs, 
And by its ordinary moral rule. 
Behold the invalid, with trembling steps. 
And languid eye, forgetful of the fire 
Which once did dwell and revel there ; man reaps, 
(How oft !) in watchfulness and pain, the fruits 
Of crude imprudences and sins that laughed 
In free and riotous recklessness, in years 
Long past committed. Hours and days, 
By follies wasted and consumed, are borne 
(As torn and scattered pages in the blast,) 
Resistlessly away unto the grave 
Of past Eternity, which swallows all ; 
But pallid sorrows, like avenging ghosts, 
Which scorn the prison-house of death, pursue 



PROVIDENCE. 201 



And overtake their victim — bid him look 

On memories saddening, and upon the page 

Of Hope, once fair and pictured, now defaced 

And blotted with sad stains and tears ; his frame, 

Meanwhile, with fevering pains and varied ills 

Often harassed. The inebriate mark ; 

And in his trembling nerve, his morbid flush, 

His tyrannizing craving, phrenzied mind. 

His blighted happiness, extinguished love, 

His shattered fortune and tormenting ills 

Maturing early, it may be, in death — 

Behold in these how Providence o'errules, 

Thus hallowing Nature priestess of His wrath. 

To warn and punish. Such the mournful course 

Of one who yields unto the wayward force 

Of appetite unchecked : as when the stream, 

Laughing in sunny freedom, sparkles on, 

Inviting prophecies of a long career, 

Amid the fruitful vales where harvests bend 

Beside the placid wave, and cities shine 

In marble beauty by the glimmering stream ; 

But from such destiny turns soon aside. 

Its bright tide squanders in the thirsty sand. 

Or, with a frenzied, fearful plunge, it sinks 

Raving and lost in caverns dark, which man 

Hath never with a mortal foot explored : 

They who beside its rivulet's bank rejoiced. 

In horror start : its waves, in yonder vales, 

Shall bear no precious freight, nor by its glass 

Shall loveliness behold her smiling charms. 



202 PROVIDENCE. 



And weave her tresses with the wild-flowers sweet. 

But in the pleasing picture opposite, 

Behold how industry and temperance, 

(With wheaten wreaths and dewy roses crowned) 

And noble, hallowed virtues, gain the meed 

Of blest prosperity, and win her smiles, 

And enter, e'en in mortal guise, the courts 

Where happiness in flower-wreathed beauty reigns ! 

Yon star of clear and kindly beam that floats 

Upon the dewy verge of heaven, shall know 

No sudden downfall, no perplexed career ; 

But, in the silvery triumph of its course, 

Shall grow familiar with the heights above, 

And add its glad notes to the music there, 

And burn its golden lamp in the azure dome. 

The imprudent recklessness of Nature's laws 

Sows disappointment and sharp misery oft ; 

And, hence, disease and death ; which, pitiless. 

Prey, now upon the form mature, and now 

Seal infancy's sweet eyes in marble sleep, 

And cloud in pearly whiteness those rich glows 

Of dawn-like beauty lately on its cheek. 

But, ere we note that Heaven o'errules for good 

The deep shades flitting o'er the path of life. 

And oft, hy special intervention^ dims. 

The face of happiness by sad eclipse. 

And agitates with vexed disquietude life's calm, 

I will a tale rehearse which tells a strange 

But not unfrequent incident in life ; 

It is a chapter whose marked picture oft 



PROVIDENCE. 203 



(Though modified) recurs in life's full book : 
Such sunshine and such shadow often fly 
In hurried chase across man's varying way. 

The morning-gleams unclouded flash 

Athwart the voicefal skies ; 
And glad as childhood's laughter, dash 

The waves in glittering dyes. 
Unloose the cable ! this bright day 
Invites us to our watery way, 

Where morning spreads her golden sheens 
lingering friends, a fond farewell ! 
We go, swift-borne o'er ocean's swell. 
In distant climes awhile to dwell 

Amid their storied scenes. 

A fond farewell to all we love. 
The pomp of western skies above, 
The grandeur of the woods below, 
The dizzy crags and mighty flow 

Of kingly Hudson's stream. 
Adieu unto the scenes, where first 
Our infant eyes the blossoms saw 
In April sunbeams softly burst : 
Adieu unto the spot where erst, 
In after times, we fondly swore 
To cherish one for evermore ; 
And to the hallowed scene where Love 
Connubial fondness pledged to prove, — 
Admired all other scenes above, 



204 PROVIDENCE. 



Upon our native shore. 
Farewell the city's crowded ways, 

And our familiar haunts ; 
The gardens where the bird and breeze, 
Like playmates revel 'mid the trees. 
And charm the ear with rural lays ; 
Adieu the holy shrine where prays 
The loving, that we may not want 
Heaven's kindly arms around us cast, 
When we are rocking 'mid the blast. 

Upon the furious seas. 

The shore retires ; they onward sweep. 

Borne by a rushing power sublime ; 
And, lost amid the circling deep, 
Down sinks, behind, the highland steep 

Some loved in burning youth to climb. 
Then nature's leafless waste was lit 
With social merriment and wit. 
Which nought for days did intermit ; 
The lovely there were with the gay, 

Marked warnings that their hearts be wary ; 
For, the fair, I trow, were not, that day, 
When floating on their ocean way, 
'Mid the native foam where Love arose, 
Quite thoughtless of her genial glows. 

Or of their smiling witcheries chary. 

And some lay down at night to dream 
Of Europe's legendary lands ; 



PROVIDENCE. 205 



And in the entrancing hour did seem 

To tread upon the strands ; 
They saw her ancient cities rise 
With hoary towers towards the skies, — 

The crumbling pomp of ages gone ; 
They heard the nightingale at eve 
Chant from old walls where ivies weave 
Romantic garlands fit to wreathe 

A poet's funeral stone. 
And some within the abbey's walls, 
(Death's statue-ornamented halls,) 
Fancied they stood, where spirits glide 
Of mighty bards and kings, who died 

To rest 'neath glory's palls. 

Some saw in dreams the sacred spot 
Where rests the honored dust of Scott, 

And where Childe Harold's bones. 
They saw the Norman relics grand 
Start up to Sleep's mysterious wand, 
Where knelt of old the knightly band 

Seen sculptured on the stones, — 
Whose chivalrous glory, like the dash 

Of waves upon the risen shore 
Which once in plumy light did flash 
Like warrior's streaming, silvery sash, 

Is gone forever. 
And some to whose enthusiast soul 

Art's beckoning glories called from far, 
Beheld in dreams of sweet control 



206 PEOVIDENCE 



Her wonders to the eye unroll 

And glow like morning with her star. 
They saw in Holy Mary's fane 
The ancient gods of Raphael shine, 
Great Jove with awful mien divine, 
And Mars, who now to saints resign 
The honors of their reign.* 

They saw, by modern genius lit, 
Bendeman's seer 'mid ruins sit, 
Zion's heart-breaking fall to mourn ; 

And Delaroche's prison-view. 
And Scheffer's sweet and glorious group, — 
Jesus consoling all who stoop 

For his pure blessings warm to sue, 
The slave, the sick, the chained, the worn, 

Athirst for heavenly dew. 
In visions, by the midnight brought, 

Antinous with lofty port 
In thoughts' commanding grandeur stood ; 

And Psyche's head divinely wrought. 
With the soul's pensive beauty wooed ; 
Again ; and Love, upon her lip 

The essence of his spirit gave, 
While she, the enrapturing gift to sip, 

Unto the god in fondness clave. 

But some in tenderer dreams than these, 
Beguile the silent hours of night ; 

* An allnsion to a design of the Great Master. 



PROVIDENCE. 207 



The hands of parted friends they seize, 

And weep in luxury at the sight : 
0, sweeter than the flattering song 

Which wakes a maiden from her sleep, 
And doth its melting verse prolong, 

And in the soul of passion steep, — 
Is the rich gush of joy that fills 

The heart abroad when kindred meet ; 
Strange and cold scenes are 'round, but thrills 

Of bliss and love their accents greet. 
'Tis like the joy the Warsaw maid 

Knew when the crimson day was past, 
Beholding her brave lover's blade 

In triumph o'er him cast, — 
Himself the nation's anthem singing, 

In hope that Poland now was free, 
Since the fierce strife, whose praise was ringing, 

Had foiled Diebitsch and caused to flee 
The Russian's swarming bands. 

But hours passed on : the giant swell 

Betokened danger on the wing : 
And the cold blasts began to tell 

In their far muttering. 
The story of their strength and wrath, 
And foaming glory of their path ; 
Now rush the reinless steeds of heaven 
Before the whirlwind chariot driven, j^^^ 

As maddened by the thunder's crack 



208 PBOVIDENCE 



And swift upon their wreck-strown track, 

As falling stars at even. 
An awful crash ! the slumberers start, 

And spring upon the flooded deck ; 
When the wild woe of woman's heart 

Was heard above the wreck ! 
What glassy tower above them rose ? 

It was the iceberg's fearful bulk ; 
And like an avalanche of snows, 

It whelmed the crashing hulk. 
One moment shrieked the pallid crowd, 

" God of love, in mercy save !" 
Another, — and vexed billows loud 

Roared o'er their hopeless grave. 

thou of pictured dreams, — the bride ! 

Where now the visions soft you saw, 
Flushing in beauty, like the tide 
Beneath the morning's splendors wide, 
Lovely and winning as the blush 
Which lately on that cheek did flush, — 

As fair as truth e'er wore '? 
Sweet art shall wreathe domestic bowers. 
And fountains deck with lovely flowers, 

But not for eyes of thine : 
For, friendship yearning after thee, 
When fear shall turn to certainty, 
With its hot, tearful eyes shall see 

(How hard that loved one to resign !) 
Far in the caverns of the deep 



PROVIDENCE. 209 



Thy bridal beauty in the sleep 

That none except the Lord Divine, 
Can rouse with new vitality.* 

'Tis thus th' imprudent, eager haste of man, 

Intoxicate with dreams of sudden wealth, 

And flushed with hot and prayerless thirst of good. 

Is bitterly reproved ; his recklessness 

Of life's high value, by the dread results f 

Which leave their legacies of memories dire. 

Is branded with its guilt, — the lesson taught, 

That happiness is but a flickering light 

Which dances on the sullen waves of Time, 

And life itself, in all its full-blown strength 

With crown of flowering hopes, is as a rose 

Pluck'd in a moment by a passer's hand. 

And scattered on the hurrying current's wave ; 

A sparkling chalice brimmed with wine that's drain'd. 

E'en in an instant, by the quenchless thirst 

Of Death and sable-stoled forgetfulness. 

Mourn ! in thy lonely chamber, mourn, and tell 

Bereaved one, thy sorrows by thy sobs 

To Nature's ear, till changeful April sweet. 

Weeping to miss the flowers that last year bloomed, 

Which died and were not sown again, 

* This piece was written with reference to the steamship "President ;" 
a bride was among the lost. 

t These disasters are here attributed to their usual cause, unfitness in the 
appointments personal or material, permitted thro' a mercenary and reck- 
less spirit in owners and their employees. 
14 



210 PEOVIDENCB. 



Refrains her grief at sight of woe like thine ; 

Mourn sore, bereaved one ; but now confess 

The heart's devotion should be trained towards Heaven, 

Not wreathed profusely 'round earth's fading forms ; 

Before its crumbling shrines the brightest fires 

The breast e'er knows must not be lavished thus. 

Through special intervention, righteous Heaven, 

Which, tho' in bright and spotless vesture robed 

Of awful justice, oft decrees in love. 

And with its nectar sweetens all the draught 

Which bitterly is mingled for the lip ; — 

By special breath and word of Providence, — 

By tjie assault of woes which do not dog 

Always the slimy steps of vice and chafe 

The dangerous ease of lukewarm souls, — by these, 

By dark afflictions winged upon their path, 

Speeding on pinions wet with poison-dews, 
Or, rushing as upon a tempest's form, 
Darkening all joy beneath the awful shade, 

All-wise and righteous Heaven, th' adored and blest,. 
Reproves, and warns, and purifies. 

But hark ! 
What murmurings from afar, from History's dim 
And shadowy vistas steal upon the ear ! 
The muffled thunders from a time long past, 
O'er which hang thick the webs of dusty age, 
Still reach us with their solemn, earthquake tones ! 
We hear the tumult of a world o'erthrown, 
When from the frowning blackness of the heavens 



PROVIDENCE. 211 



The ground affrighted sank, and fountains deep, 

Fed from the furious skies or distant seas, 

Disdained their earthly barriers and rejoiced 

In their dread license ; as some fev'rish dream 

That hovers o'er the sick man's couch, lit up 

With wild, impassioned scenes, dissolves away 

Extinguished in the blank and frozen night 

Of death's long sleep, — so, soon, the pomp of power. 

And glittering shows of pleasure's haunts, and fires 

Of turbid passion and the clash of strife. 

Were quenched and tombed in ruin wild and dark. 

More dread and fearful was the flaming woe 

Which on the wings of smoky clouds came down, 

And brooded with a suffocating plague 

Where couched the ancient cities of the plain. 

Then, checked in her career of strife and lust, 

The blood-stained eye of vice beheld the threats 

Depictured in the angry skies, and heard 

The rush of fiery torrents ; Pleasure's cup 

Conceived a venom in its ruby depths ; 
Dropt from her hand the timbrel and the lyre. 

And on her cheek the morn-glow faded back 

To twilight pale of fear, and grief, and woe. 

And Egypt's pride, and tyranny, and chain 

Of gross idolatries drew down the bolts 

Of Heaven's avenging lightnings. Judgment oped 

Her gloomy book of wrath, and turned 

The leaves of many chapters written there. 

And read their sentences ; till white and cold 



212 PROVIDENCE. 



The foam lay on the breathless lip and cheek 
Of Egypt's monarch, and the sea-weeds bound 
With their salt wreaths the noble's brow ; 
The horseman and the horse alike slept low 
In twilight caverns of the Red Sea's flood. 
As when the falcon with swift, eager wing. 
Pursues some trembling bird which has escaped 
With ruffled plumage his remorseless clutch ; 
Now in some narrow gorge the affrighted thing 
He shadows with his swooping form, when quick, 
From unseen hand, an arrow shot, his breast 
Fatally pierces : down he drops and beats 
The stream below with quivering wing, and stains 
Its limpid waves with crimson : free and glad 
His victim flies afar to peaceful groves, 
And there his rapture chants at close of day. 

So Providence, again, with high control, 

Aiming at justice and at warnings, called 

The raging tide of battle forth, and poured 

Its fury on the Amorites : as dark 

The frown of Fate and ruinous : it stormed 

Against those principalities corrupt ; 

And they before the torrent strong dissolved. 

And night's eternal shade their glory quenched. 

Ye harps, that in the desolated halls 
Of Zion's holy land still mouldering hang. 
Your potent melodies in silence wrapt, — 
Awake ! and tell how Israel's glory bloomed. 



PROVIDENCE. 213 



Beneath the smiles of Providence afresh, 
Or, withered in the shadow of its frown, 
As either their paternal virtues grew, 
Or, pride, and covetousness, and unbelief, 
As poisonous fruit, hung on their ancient vine 
And breathed their sickening, fatal odors forth. 
The fruitful pomp of autumn, victory, peace. 
Were to their bosoms given ; or, plagues and war ; 
While Famine's pallid, shivering shade enforced 
Her awful rule, the tender light of love 
And joy domestic darkening in their shrines ; 
With living spectres peopling every home. 
How did corruption in Achaia break 
In fevering and sore-vexing civil strife ; 
The inward fires, out-bursting, rock the land ; 
And foreign, artful tyranny o'erwhelm 
Her peace and freedom in ensanguined woes. 
And veil the triumph of her morning star, 
When Greece her early virtues long had lost ! 
When avarice and reckless lust of power 
Had stained th' inscription of an earlier age 
With blackened hues of guilt mature, at length 
Rome, too, the poisoned chalice from the hand 
Of Justice took and drank the fearful woe 
Which pestilence and rapine brought ; and see ! 
Her purple robes were dyed afresh, in blood. 
The once bright blaze sank in a dark red cloud : 
Th' imperial crown, by lightning struck, down fell. 



214 PROVIDENCE, 



But individual rewards the Power that rules 

Scatters throughout its empire ; as, when bowed 

In penitential sackcloth, David sought 

The life of his young innocent in vain, 

And plead against the solemn voice of Death 

Which called that fluttering, tender soul to rest 

In the dim, voiceless chambers of his vast 

And peopled prison-palace ; — or, as when. 

Struck by the arrows of the bow of Heaven, 

And bleeding with the spirit's viewless wounds, 

All sightless and in chains, Manasseh mourned 

His kingdom lost, — by penitence regained. 

As when the parent, chastened by His hand 

Who doth " rebuke and chasten whom he loves," 

The death-struck happiness of home deplores, 

Or, health and fortune blasted ; till new smiles 

Of providential goodness do reward 

The growth of faith and faithfulness restored. 

And home's sweet, joyous music wakes again, — 

Its leafless bowers leaf out and flower anew. 

And hope's late moulted wings are fledged once more, 

And with their pristine lustre buoyant float. 

Our own free country, — what shall be her fate ? 
As sure as desolation marks the track 
Of th' locust cloud which blotteth out the Sun ; 
As sure as droop the flowers and blooming shrubs, 
And dies the gorgeous beauty of the groves 
When northern winds blow icy cold at night, 
So surely, if eJBfeminacy, vice, 



PROVIDENCE. 215 



And mindless superstition wide prevail, 
Will sad decay invade the strength august 
Of national prosperity ; the nation's powers 
(Her noble crown of dignity downcast) 
Suffer deplorable eclipse, and harmony, 
Justly we dread, in furious strife be lost. 
As th' skies' fair image in th' awakened deep : 
While knowledge, virtue, piety will blend 
The fabric fair of freedom and of power 
To strengthen ; nursed beside such streams, 
Fed by such living founts, the stalwart tree 
Will deeply strike its roots and raise on high 
A form majestical. The unseen Hand, 
If Error's grovelling serpent-brood are nursed 
Amid the filth of vice, will be upraised 
Against our peace ; and there will be ordained 
In Justice' chambers dread the scourge, and fire, 
And thunderbolts of wrath to scathe and waste ; 
But plenty and protection shall be given, 
(As shields of gold filled high with Ceres' gifts,) 
Where virtue, righteousness, and wisdom rule. 

In the soft beauty of the twilight hour. 
When the deep hush of night with witching power 
Came with the shadows gray to veil the flush 
Of evening's tender gleams and purple blush, 
As when from locks unbound some maiden throws 
A shadow deep across her cheek's rich rose. 
Or, as when o'er her pleasant love-dreams fair 
A thought of tearful sadness comes to bear 



216 PROVIDENCE 



The rosy light of hope and bliss away, — 

At that dim hour, devoted to the sway 

Of the fond power of dreams that shun the day, 

At thought's still Sabbath, came again the theme, 

And with it, of the future scarce a dream, 

Kather a vision which had features caught 

Of what the seers of olden time had taught : 

But, first, a form symbolical I saw, 

Kising majestic from the cloud of war ; 

The crimson glory of the western sky 

Shone o'er its wings and lit its piercing eye ; 

Fresh was its vigor, upward swift it soared, 

'Till in the starry blue its form careered ; 

It seemed the monarch of that western sky, 

A type of victory, power, prosperity. 

Full many a captive chained, with eager eye, 

Beheld that form in boundless freedom fly, 

And longed to rise and soar where neither chains 

Nor stormy thunder-clouds the flight restrain. 

Full many, gathering boldness from the sight. 

Unfurled their wings to take that noble flight ; 

But Tyranny's fell lightnings then appeared. 

The fresh, fair hopes of Liberty were seared. 

Their strength was blasted by the rage of Power, 

Their dreams of glory darkened in an hour ; 

Except that some, despite the fiery shower. 

Arose to partial freedom, then to show 

That ignorance and vice must ever throw 

Clouds of embarrassment and mutual strife 

Around the pathway of a nation's life. 



PROVIDENCE. 217 



Then, in the vision, I beheld, in time, 

How Justice hurled her burning ire sublime ; — 

How Tyranny, rebuked, relaxed its hold, — 

Tho' Error raged within her ramparts bold, 

And still her crimsoned lance held poised to pierce 

The heart of Truth disdained with accents fierce, — 

Till, by convulsion dread of earth and heaven, 

The fatal blow by power Supreme was given , 

And in the abyss of deep, eternal night 

The stars of fire malign were gulfed from sight. 

The smithies murk where chains were forged to bind 

The .eagle-pinions of the human mind. 

The prisons, armories, and forts, and tower, 

Where victims wailed, and blood-stained steel the power 

Remorseless of the three-crowned Error told ; 

All these, both palaces and strongholds bold. 

Were in a fiery gulf of ruin hurled. 

Amid the joy and terror of the world. 

The birds obscene in undisturbed repose 

Nestled their young where Rome's old courts arose. 

And silence brooded there, (save when from far 

Of Truth's and Freedom's hymn of joy the ear 

Of Nature listening, genial strains to hear, 

Caught the last swell of some full chorus grand ;) 

Wild life and solitude possessed the land. 

The rich and glorious calm of joy and peace 

Followed that day of strife ; release 

From all the fevering woes of war was given. 

And health and plenty, too, with truth from heaven. 



218 PROVIDENCE. 

The harp that twanged with notes of discord wild, 

Renewed the song with strains of sweetness mild ; 

And He who whelmed in death the scornful foe, 

Who once himself was slain in bitter woe, 

And had by just decree been clothed with power, 

As is the sun with glory's matchless dower, 

(Peerless, except that he shall see that day, 

" Ashamed," an orb of purer, brighter ray, 

"Who, 'midst the envious clouds whose hate oppressed, 

Went down bestained with bloody steams to rest, 

Only to rise upon a cloudless morn. 

And ope of brightest day the glorious dawn) — 

This orb of power, in majesty divine, 

Amid the throng around him called to shine, 

Unchallenged reigned. His might the slumbers broke 

In death's dark courts, and tore his grievous yoke 

From off the children who yet drew their breath. 

Living to love, but subjects unto death.* 

0, Zion's mount ! no more thou'lt bear thy shame ; 

Renew the splendors of thine ancient name ; 

Shake off the foes who have thy ruins trod, 

And smile to welcome thy descending God ! 

More brilliant than an Eastern poet's dream. 

Or than Hope's morning visions, then shall seem 

Thy glories and prosperity. Ye skies ! 

Whose wondering orbs saw Bethlehem's star arise ; 

Who 'round its infant beauty softly bent, 

* " Subject to bondage." St. Paul. Subject i. e. to the tyranny of the 
fear of death. Living believers (" we who are alive ") " shall be changed " 
at His coming, &c. 



PROVIDENCE. 219 



While with its beams were love's red watch-lights blent, 

(Like earth-born wishes and solicitudes, 

Mixing their glow with light of hopes which brood 

With sacred, heaven-born beauty in the mind 

Of the Virgin-mother, Mary, pure and kind) — 

Ye Orient skies have ne'er gazed on a scene 

Like that which ye shall see that day, I ween ; 

No festal life and pomp like that your light 

Hath ever lit and opened to the sight : 

No blazoned page like that in Time's great book, 

With its rich, golden scenes, the eye e'er took, 

And showed such proof how Providence brings forth 

The blessings which it promised unto worth. 

And makes the travailing hours of woe to bear 

A progeny of never-fading joys. Appear ! 

golden age restored ! and victory bring. 

And triumph's splendors, unto Zion's King, 

Whose throne, upreared where David reigned of yore, 

Shall be sustained by love as well as power, 

And garlanded, as by celestial flowers. 

With clusters thick of spirits glad and free. 

Clad in the robes of immortality. 

The river which sends forth in yonder vale 

Its murmurings in the woods, and hides its stream 

In thickest shades, shall sooner ever fail 

To find an ocean where beneath the beam 

Of undimmed day 'twill spread, than shall the ways 

Of Providence, through every misty maze, 

To th' period grand of vast awards to flow j 



220 PROVIDENCE. 



Yea, sooner shall the orb of day ne'er know, 
After its setting in autumnal haze, 
A morrow's rising : sooner far delays, 
And e'er her nest and cooling eggs forgets 
The anxious bird which storm uncouth besets, 
And never brings to perfect life and form 
The lately-cherished charge she kept so warm. 

Wise, just and good, the Providential rule 
Demands that we our hearts and lives should school 
To reverence, and trust, and fruitful love. 
That we may share its great awards above, 
As well as here its guardian goodness prove. 



POEM. 



DELIVERED AT THE HUNTINGTON FESTIVAL AT NORWICH-TOWN, CT., 
SEPTEMBER 3, 1857. 



Wedlock ! fond source of pure relationship, 

The fountain-haunt of many a bliss, where throngs 

Of tender dreams and shapes of happiness 

Were by Creative Love designed to brood ; 

Wedlock ! with mention of thy name, and thoughts 

Of thy pure influences and concord fond 

Well may I ope this strain ; so that my verse 

Shall be, tho' graceless, like a stream that springs 

Where sweet retirement is embowered 'mid blooms 

Which breathe ambrosial odors. 'Round that bond 

Which marriage ties with silken knot 

Heaven throws its sanction, interweaving it 

As a thread of gold throughout the bond beloved. 

Type of Messiah's union with His Church ! 

(Comparison with holy lessons rife, 

And teaching us how fond and pure should be 

The union of the hearts which wedlock binds.) 

See'st thou yon river that adown the vale 

Flows on in majesty, wherein suffused 

The soft and blushing glory of the morning rests 

Till wave and sunshine-richness seem dissolved 

Into one stream of light and power ! So, in one tide 



222 POEM. 

The affections and desires should flow 
Of those whom Hymeneal bonds have joined, 
Mingling and glowing in harmonious stream. 
See'st thou yon stars that seem in heaven to meet, 
Blending their rays in soft, unquenching beams ? * 
Across that azure sea above they float, 
"With even movement keeping union e'er ; 
The zenith finds them still in commune rapt ; 
Their voice according and their light still blent 
When down the western hill they sink and bid 
The watchers or the sky-charmed sage " good-night :" 
So, like two voices, in some song of home 
Where music lavishes her tenderest heart. 
Should flow harmoniously the wedded lives. 
With awe-struck recognition of His laws 
And of that mystic union to God's Son, 
(In marriage stainless and love-lighted typed,) 
And with conviction of the holiness 
Which unto wedlock's sweet alliance clings. 
Our fathers, of the earlier days, did found 
Our wide-spread, populous family. 
And here th' eternal truths of virtue taught. 
Here, doubtless, to the young, the parents sage 
The grand, ennobling doctrines of Heaven's word 
Unfolded, telling to the listening soul 
Of Him whose Spirit everywhere doth brood, — 
O'er the wild haunts and lonely rocky wastes, 
As well as where bright Civilization sheds 
A flood of luxury and glory o'er 
• I do not know who first used this comparison. 



POEM. 223 

The populous realms of life : alike where flows 

The murmuring chant of streams that ne'er 

Mirrored the snowy sail ; and where ships superb 

In the crowded river's glassy depths ride deep 

By reason of the varied, glittering spoils 

Which Commerce from far-distant shores has won. 

Here breathed they to the curious mind of youth 

The story of the holy men of old, 

Who, in the childhood of our race, when yet 

Narrow the river of corruption ran 

Down Time's grave-margined stream, the turbid tide 

Nobly resisted, and for Truth and God 

Inscribed and broad unfurled their vessel's flag. 

The eventful course of years they told. 

And marked their solemn lessons ; then the tale 

Most woeful, yet most triumphing, they breathed, 

Of Him who came to show how God and love 

Could in a human heart reside ; and how 

The fearful gulf which shuts us out from Heaven 

Could, by a cross of wood, be safe bridged o'er, 

Safe unto all who walk by faith's clear star 

And in the love-lit path of righteous life. 

Thus in the ear of listening youth they poured, 

Doubtless, their solemn lessons, and the stamp 

Pressed kindly on the yet impressible heart, 

That, with the noble form of virtue e'er, 

It might conspicuous prove. And so 

In sacred virtue and in industry 

The bases of our family renown and strength 

They wisely, deeply laid. 



224 POEM. 

I ween, 
Like that mysterious tree Ezekiel saw 
In fruity affluence and strength, that grew 
Beside the sacred stream in Holy Land, — 
So flourishes the tribe or house which strikes 
The roots of its development in sound 
And healthful virtues ; while its veins 
Are coursed by energy and living hope. 
So swells rejoicingly the stream which springs 
From broad-based hills that rise to seek the sky ; 
And 'neath the solemn and the mighty shade 
Of ample ranges, takes its seaward course. 
While beauty and prosperity smile bright 
Upon the shore it laves. 

Far o'er the seas, 
From where the precious sunbeams light the marge 
Of England's storied waters mirroring 
The crumbling pomp of feudal walls and gleam 
Of ivy-mantled towers and fanes, — from scenes 
Where still the genius of her power in strength 
August and undecaying rules, they came. 
The edifice of civilization here 
And Truth's fair form to rear. The ranks of war ! 
Dreadful and sad the mission which they haste 
Upon the fields ensanguined to fulfill ; 
How sad the light which shines upon the folds 
Of Victory's banners, — light, which dying hopes 
And the faint, stifling flames of sinking life 
Cast with their final flickerings ; and which 



POEM. 225 

The fires of ruin dart from crumbling seats 

Where Power was throned and from the ashy wrecks 

Of Art and beauty overwhelmed ! 

But fair and wreathed with blessings is the brow 

Of Christian Civilization ; and the end 

Of her advance claims justly songs and praise. 

Yet should again 
The august genius of our Freedom sigh 
O'er her immunities assailed, and call 
For brave defenders and for sacrifice, — 
The martial genius of our slumbering sires 
Would in their sons be seen to wake. 

The angry waves, 
Storms of the desolate coast, the snows 
Burying th' inclement shores in ice and gloom, 
Quenched not their courage or their faith. The dream 
Of southerly skies and climes might fair 
Have gleamed and glowed in the mind's atmosphere ; 
But bleak and wintry was the scowl which gloomed 
Above the shores where tempests drove their bark. 
Yet in the cold, forbidding day of grief, 
They sowed the seed which, smiled upon of heaven, 
When in the after glory of a summer time 
It sprouted, grew into flourishing beauty, bloomed 
And with a wealth of fruitage decked wide boughs. 
As oaks that wrestle with September's gales, 
As rocks and crags that battle with the surge, 
How many were their struggles with the force 
15 



226 POEM. 

Of wild and wintry tempests and the stern 
And yet enchanting rudeness of the land, 
O'er which a wierd and dim romance reposed, 
Romance of its untutored race, the tribes 
Of plumed and painted swarthy men ! 

The charm 
Which was breathed forth from those strange scenes 
And from the picturesque and novel life 
Which chronicled itself upon Time's chart 
In that wild realm of wood-girt hills and floods 
Solemn and mighty and of forest-shadowed plains, 
Whose silence Civilization scarce had broken, — 
This charm was then but as a flickering light 
On the dark cloud of their experience 
When want and war their feebly-guarded homes 
Roughly assailed : They nerved themselves for strife ; 
As from the marble crude the sculptor shapes 
The form of grandeur and expressive grace ; 
As from the hideous belchings of the mouth 
Of flaming mountains and from desolate mines 
The builder hews in rock and scoria forms 
Wherewith he raises architectural grace, 
The soaring pomp of beauty and of strength, — 
So reared they a prosperity and name 
Noble for virtue, energy and mind, — 
Upraised it from amid their trials rough, 
From elements in natural rudeness found. 
The murky desolation of the sky 
Grew bright ; a fair-brow'd day was born, 



POEM. 227 

Some still the plough drove in the rugged field ; 

Some in the ranks of war, upon the plains 

Where streamed his banner like a meteor red, 

Drew for their country and their homes their swords ; 

And lit with the bright flashing of their steel 

A path 'mid dark and thorny fields 

To victory and renown. Theirs was a share 

In glory's harvest ; to the flowing stream 

Of our prosperity and name, their sweat 

And their life-currents added : blossoms fair 

To the wreath of literary fame which binds 

America's young brow, some added ; light 

And " orient pearls " of wisdom sowing thick 

In the rude soil of the western world of mind. 

Into th' enchanted palace and the flowery fields 

Of dreamy Romance, some our footsteps led, 

Lighting the scene with graphic charm : 

While Art, (soft-hued, bewitching solacer, 

Of this our stirring, dusty life,) sweet Art 

Wove the rich web of the entrancing dreams 

Which spell-bound some ; while Science, too, ' 

With mien august and face symmetrical 

As Grecian beauty or a Doric fane, 

Commanded reverence and love, and oped 

Unto the awe-struck, gladdened gaze of some 

Her gates magnificent, to the great world 

Of God-stamped wisdom ushering. 

But as the wheel of Time kept rolling, 

And our numbers were increased, — ] 



228 POEM. 

To the wide West, rich and glorious, 

A young band their footsteps pressed. 

Some enchanted, where the Mohawk 

In blue lustre seamed the mead, 

Near the sparkle of its waters. 

Tarried, built and sowed the seed ; 

There they prospering were gladdened, 

With the joy of home and love. 

Zoned with children as with flower-wreathes, 

'Till Heaven called of these, above, 

Not a few, fond, lovely spirits 

Which their gentle radiance cast 

O'er the waves of life's swift river, 

Leaving thus a hallowed past. 

When the cares of home were ended, 
When their toils in State were done, 
On Religion's breast, they languished, — 
Life's light quenched, its courses run. 

Others where Lake Erie's billows 
Bathed in diamond-light its shores ; 
Or, amid New-Jersey's green glades 
Found a home. Where ocean roars, 

With " sea spray " gemming grassy meadows, 
Others in a quiet shrine 
Their household happiness embowered. 
To science given and art divine. 



POEM. 229 

By the swift Missouri's waters : 
Where the Thames and Yantic glide ; 
'Mid New England's northern mountains, 
Widely spread our prospering tribe. 

As bees unto the hive returning, 
Though fair flowers they leave for home, 
So unto their olden homesteads 
Rich with memories sweet, they come. 

As in spring the joyous swallows 
Thrilling with their early love. 
Seek their peaceful, native valleys, — 
So we come our hearts to prove. 

As the waters brightly sparkling 
That from hill-sides course away, 
Gliding on in creek and river 
Till they're lost 'neath ocean-spray ; 

From that mighty waste returning. 
Rising in the showery winds. 
Fall in gladdening streams where erst they 
Gushed in founts their course to find ; 
So, from th' western world's wide ocean, 
From its heaving, restless tide, 
Hither to their source our kindred 
Gather thick from every side. 

Hither they've come ; the aged, on whose sight 
These storied scenes burst with affecting power ; 



230 POEM. 

They gazed upon them in youth's rosy light ; 
Now, in life's autumn and its soberer hour 
They greet the view again, and they are blest 
Here by ancestral homes once more to rest. 

Welcome ! ye aged ; in the name of those 
Whose lot and homes amid these scenes are fixed, 
Welcome unto this spot where ceaseless flow 
The quenchless light and stream of memory's mixed 
But clear associations blest ; the same, 
Though changed, this spot of olden name. 

Death has been busy, as we have been told, 

Gathering the ripened sheaves to granaries full. 

Those radiant in young bloom beside the old 

He has not shrunk with icy hand to cull ; * 

Like miser antique, rich with ample store. 

Whose pale and covetous clasp seeks more and more. 

But here beside you, are the youthful throng 
Of sons and daughters, relatives of ours. 
And those maturer ; unto whom belong 
The features of the lost ; as in the flowers 
And fruitage of this year, we see the type 
Of those that in your youth were fresh and ripe. 

A welcome here our friends extend to all, 

To youth all glowing with its undimmed hopes, 

And those who have responded to the call 

• " He reaps the bearded grain " &c. ^Longfellow. 



POEM. 23 1 

To active, thoughtful life of various scopes, — 
To all may Pleasure pure a sweet return 
Proffer, full-flowing from her liberal urn. 

Here may you feast, like bees among the flowers, 
Upon associations old, to memory dear. 
Gladdened by visions of the vales and bowers 
And rushing streams you loved in childhood's years. 
Beauteous and spotless to your fancy rise 
The forms of lost ones in a heavenly guise ! 

Here may our contact strike etherial sparks, 
Lighting the scene with wit and blameless glee, 
Here in this ancient spot may care that carks 
And all of bitterness and anguish flee ; 
May love and friendship smile like Eden's morn, 
And sweet and holy visions here be born. 

May sentiments of pure and sacred worth, 

Breathed forth from prayer, from public thanks and praise. 

Or having 'mid our private converse birth, 

Like gems which 'mid its sand some stream displays ; 

May such now find impressible our hearts, 

And rich and lasting values here impart. 

Here at the ancient hive, may honey true, 
And gathered from th' eternal fields of Truth, 
With its uncloying sweets our souls imbue ; 
Than an elixer true of life and youth 



232 POEM. 

More gladdening and enduring in its power ; 
May sacred beams shine 'mid this festal hour ! 

So may this meeting favor our advance 

In the glad ways of peace and turn the thoughts 

As doves unto the ark where brightly glance 

The sunbeams of the love divine, and sought 

Security of life and pleasure dwells, 

And social joy forever freely wells. 

In that communion noble opened here. 
Through its pure, glowing spirit may our hearts 
A foretaste drink of that commune so dear 
Which Heaven with its undying love imparts ; 
The silver bonds of kindred now renewed, 
May they there then all of our own include. 

As flocks, of the like plumage, scattered far 
By harsh alarms, gather again on high. 
Cutting with swift and eager wings the air 
Till their glad voices mingle in the sky, — 
So, tho' afar dispersed by life's shocks here, 
May we in heaven's pure air unite fore'er. 

The ocean shall give back its sunken pearls. 
And every deep the gems engulfed there ; 
The silenced notes of music wake ; the world 
Of harmony their strains shall know once more ; 
The seed which full of virtue fell to earth 
In a new growth to beauty shall have birth. 



POEM. 233 

Yea ; even those timid, youthful thoughts that rose, 

Rose and then fell, like fluttering, half-fledged birds, 

Shall waken yet unto a life that knows 

No death-like darkness, if to holy words 

And kindly they were joined ; those thoughts in might 

Shall revel in th' unclouded realms of light. 

But now 'tis fit this strain should know its close : 
'Tis fit this stream of humble thought should cease : 
And yet, perchance, oblivion's thirsty sands 
May not at once drink up this current spent ; 
Since from a bosom stirred by love's pure breath 
These parting words are voiced. 

Ancestral homes ! 
Tender and beautiful and fond the light 
Which floats around ye ! Here ajQfections come, 
Seeking the haunts and homes of buried worth, 
As life's warm currents seek again the heart, 
Or as the many echoes their one source. 
Tombs of my sires,* who in yon graveyard sleep ! 
There is a voice which in your silence speaks : 
Amid your darkness and your dust there springs 
A fresh and lovely light ; and forms beloved 
Start up and beckon with engaging smiles. 



• The dust of Brig. General Jedediah Huntington, of the Revolutionary 
service, and late of New London, sleeps in the vault of his father, Maj. 
General Jabez Huntington, at Norwich-town. Hon. Benj. Huntington, M. 
C. and Judge of the Supreme Court, is commemorated by a monument 
near by ; tho' the ashes of that prominent civilian repose among his de- 
scendants at Rome, N. T. 



234 POEM. 

Scenes eloquent and solemn ! ere I part, — 

Ere from my mind your picture floats to rest 

Beneath a shadow for the while, may hopes 

And strong resolves burn bright to meet 

The sainted who have found the soul's sweet rest ; 

"Whose spirits, purified and lighted up 

With the image of " the Sun of righteousness," 

Have risen at His calling, as the drops 

Of dew that image forth the Sun, 

Rise at his summons to the glorious skies. 



EXCERPS FROM A POEM PRONOUNCED BEFORE THE SIGMA 
PHI AT HAMILTON COLLEGE, 1841. 



THE aENEROtrs VIRTUES FIT US FOR LIFE, AND INVOKE THE INDULGENCE AND 
FAVOR OF PROVIDENCE. 



But if, by blighting all the buds that youth 

Reveals of guilelessness and trust and love 

Guiltless of mercenary stains, we seek 

To fit the heart for life's " cold, trying years," 

For happiness and true prosperity. 

In contact vsrith a stern and wily world, — 

We act the part of folly : 'twere to pluck 

From off the new-fledged bird the plumage fair 

"Which gilds its untried wings, because those wings 

Must shortly beat the storm whose gusts would shake 

With rudeness, to their delicateness unmatched, 

The feathers of its trust. But rather, let 

The young bird, taught, in his own plumage rise : 

Behold ! doth not the awful King of Storms 

Smile thro' the terrors of his battling clouds ; 

And, won with innocency's beauty rare, 

Charm the wild air to silence by a word ! 

The soft winds gently press the silken plumes. 

And the glad pilgrim thro' the yielding air 

Floats on His breath towards everlasting bowers. 

What though, with borrowed feathers from some bird 



236 E X C E R P s 



Fierce-hearted, gloating e'er on dreams of prey, 

It, with a struggle, baiSed oft, should reach 

At last the heights long sought ? from thence, the flash 

Of Heaven's avenging bolt may hurl it down ; 

The meed of spoliation, cold distrust, 

And cherished heartlessness, and selfish pride. 

THE NOBLE AND UNSUSPECTING. 

* * * What tho' the world should deem 
This breast confiding like a citadel 
With its portcullis up, its bolts all drawn. 
And warriors slumbering on the watch-towers high 1 
What tho' the selfish should, insidious, plot 
To cheat this trusting heart of all its hopes ! 
Let all this be. Far better that the shrines 
Of Trust and Love should smoke with sacrifice 
Of their own worshippers and priests, 
In martyrdom most bright consumed, than that 
No step should break the silence of their aisles, 
No heart should live the votary of their cause, 
Nor tell how rich their incense-fires ; how fair, 
How passing sweet the triumphs of their power. 

THE POWER OF BENEVOLENCE. 

What mystic power shall bathe in slumber deep 

The throng of passions harsh that haunt 

The shadows of disquietude within ? What glance. 

Refulgent with celestial fire, shall melt 

Pride's frosty barriers, and the frame 

Of cold formalities which rules a world 



E X C E R P s . 237 



In custom's mighty despotism bound ? 
Upon what throne, in royalty and light, 
Sits that etherial power whose voice can bid 
The winter of the heart dissolve and smile 
Into the genial spring ? Hail, Love, supreme 
Of all the virtues that came smiling down 
With the creating word, when light, the sign 
And prophet of thy mild benificence, 
Shot o'er the icy deep ; when man uprose 
In beauty from the dust, and stood sublime, 
A glorious temple for thyself upreared. 
Hail ! Love, the happiest spirit, and the first 
In might as well as birth ; " beneath thy steps " 
Immortal " roses spring ;" Elysian airs 
Float from thy spreading plumes. * * * 

HONOR TO THE MORAL CONQUEROR. 

With truth sublime wrote Zion's regal sage : 
" Full mightier is he who rules his heart 
Than he who takes a city." Then, ye stars ! 
Flash forth from 'mid th' eternal flowers 
Which bind the moral victor's brow ; 
Deep be the reverence which meets his glance ; 
And rich with poetry's divinest glows, 
The song which tells the story of his life. 

THE AIMS OF CHARITY. 

An aim that tends 
To sweeten what may still be sweet ; to soothe 
The cankerings which care and sorrow cause ; 



238 E X c E E r s 



Of peace the wounded elements to heal ; 

Lower paradise to earth, and calm the tide 

Of human life that, in its clearer face. 

May dwell the images of heaven, to glass 

In fairer lines man's origin and end, 

The glories of his destiny and source. 

Nor does the value of results embrace 

Solely these beauties of a moral change ; 

But with a working, beautiful and strange, 

The generous emotions tend to grace 

Man's motions all and lineaments of face. 

In this the heart and mind alike unite ; 

So, light within an alabaster vase ; 

The pleasant glories thro' the sculpture glow. 

And make the urn a brighter picture show. 

Nor only do these influences bright 

Breathe thro' the mien and face their charm and light, 

But with sweet subtlety conspire to mould 

The faults of features into those less bold ; 

A soft and intellectual meaning finds 

Within the countenance its lasting shrines. 

'Round beauty's footsteps and upon her head, 

Her magic loveliness Love seems to shed ; 

The stamp divine is fixed upon the face. 

Throughout posterity's ennobled race ; 

The heritage, in all, forever seen. 

Gives to humanity a nobler mien, 

A brow more like the throne of love and thought, 

A lip to kindlier expression wrought. 

While eyes of softer and of lovelier glance 

Reveal the deeps where Eden's sunbeams dance. 



POETRY AND ROMANCE OF THE INDIAN COUNTRY AND ITS 

TRIBES. 



PART I, 

WONDERS AND GLORIES OF THE WESTERN WORLD. 

Oh, Solitude ! thy realm is surely here ; 
Thy vast and noiseless pinions here extend, 
Brooding o'er nature's majesty. The air 
Is wonderful, and boundless in its range ; 
But here do earth's dominions vie with those. 
How sea-like, as the mirrors of a cloud 
That deems itself the monarch of the skies, 
Those lakes in brilliancy expand ! The hordes 
That spring and flash within that crystal flood, 
What glistening beauty vests their mighty sides !* 
Those rich, vast gardens of the West, which wave 
So glorious in their wealth of grass and flowers, 
Like to the green pavilion of some king, 
By morning airs caressed, now shake 
With the startling thunder of the mighty herds 
That roam their trackless prairie. Oft it burns 
Afar, in dread magnificence ; death-doomed. 
Unless with winged feet, they bound away. 

• The salmon trout is found in the great lakes ; and it has been found to 
weigh as high, I learn, as 150 lbs. 



240 THE INDIAN COUNTEY. 

HYMN TO GOD — (A CHORUS.) 

All praise to Thee, creative Power, 

Whose hand these mighty regions spread. 

And countless forms of bloom did shower 
On the green path man's foot must tread. 

Like to Thine armies in the skies, 
Yon glorious forests proudly stand ; 

Thy wisdom bade those mountains rise, 
To edge the broad and fruitful land : 
For all, be praise to Thee. 

INDIAN WARFARE — (RECITATIVE.) 

'Mid the thick tangles of their trackless wilds 
The prowling band now lurks. The swarthy hue, 
The painted face, the mighty bow, the dart of flint. 
The eye with vengeance lit, and feathered head, 
Betray the Indian braves. With one wild yell 
They spring upon the careless foe : now spouts 
The crimson life, and fall in death's dark swoon 
The warriors of those tribes. The wounded groan, 
As groans the falling tree by lightning struck. 
And 'mid the pauses, list ! the deadly bow ! 
Oh, death ! thy carnival is surely here. 

DEATH SONG OF PRISONERS, BEFORE BEING BURNED. 

Ah ! treacherous foe ! 
As the panther unheard, thou has sprung ; 
Thy weapons as fierce as his grasp ! 

Ah ! treacherous foe ! 
The children of panthers, their scholars in war ! 



THE INDIAN COUNTEY. 241 



Shall we never the dart 
Wing in wrath 'gainst your tribes, 
As of yore, when these arms 
Over many flashed red ? 
Your proudest fell then ; 
What a triumph was ours ! 
Their scalps are thick hung in our wigwam's repose, 
A heart-cheering sight, 
Oh, ye treacherous foes ! 

BEAUTIFUL BIRDSj PECULIAR TO THOSE REGIONS, CATCHIKG THE INSPIRA- 
TION OP SONG, BY THEIR MELODY TEACH HOW LOVELY IS NATURE'S 
HARMONY, AND THUS CHIDE TH3 SANGUINARY DISCORD OF THE SCENE 
BENEATH — (a DUET.) 

But listen, now, what dulcet voices, 

As his songs whose heart rejoices 

In an elysium found, now flow 

From yon thick shade that bendeth low. 

It is the liquid merry chant 

Of mocking-birds, whose full hearts pant 

With their melodious rivalry, — 

A sweet rebuke to what they see. 

As stars that peep through angry skies, 

As dew-drops falling in the fire, 

As smiles of love to frowns of ire, 

So seem those notes to war's fierce cries. 

Is there a language in those notes. 
Where prophecy in music floats ? 
From nature's shrine, a voice divine 
Sings, " Peace shall triumph yet benign." 
16 



242 THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 

SPEECH OF AN INDIAN CHIEF. 

My warriors ! — In the glory of the sun, 
Steeping the mighty plains with quickening light, 
Whose image see ye ? Whose that voice ye hear, 
Amid the tempest, when the battling oak, 
War-worn, distracted, seeks the earth's repose ? 
And whose that smile, that in the summer's flush 
Beams forth the favor Heaven has deigned to shower 
Upon the tribes that people this broad range ? 
'Tis the Great Spirit's, guardian of the free 
That roam these solemn forests. 

Whose those plagues 
That in the forms of pestilence and drought 
Are loosed upon us, faithless to our trust ? 
From the weird councils of the Evil one. 
By Heaven's permission, they are hither sent. 
Court not the benefits of the Evil one, — 
Wreathe not his name with blessings or with prayers ; 
With shaggy offerings let yon mountain-tops 
Attest your piety to God, whose awful feet 
Touch, wrapt in thunder-clouds, th' astonished crags. 
Give not, I entreat, so tamely, Ilis great gifts 
Unto the pale intruders, lest he blast 
Despisingly the race that deems so light 
The favors of munificence in Heaven. 

CHORUS OF PRAISE TO THE GREAT SPIRIT, AND A CALL TO ARMS. 

All glory to the mighty King above. 

Whoso power amid the pomp of nature burns ; 



THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 243 

Whose glance outstrips the lightning, and whose frown 
Breeds war and famine, wheresoe'er it glooms, 
While imps of darkness tremble at His wrath ; 
At His dread thunder-words, alarmed, they fly. 
From Thy high triumph, in the glistening air, 
Stoop, with benignant countenance, and clothe 
Our cause with victory, while we rush to drive 
Back to the eastern seas th' invasion pale, 
That, like the burden of the winter storms, 
Sweeping afar, will else fill all the land. 
A boundless ocean skirts the western shore. 
And scarce an island clouds that lower sky 
With its inviting green. 

Oh, whither then. 
Can our thinned race escape ! 

To arms, arise ! 

SUNSET O'EK the WESTERN LAKES — (RECITATIVE.) 

Are nature's cups of rich aerial hues, 
By the genius ravished of the western skies, 
Now poured with robber-like profusion forth, 
That thus they rival here Italia's lights. 
In her rich and kindling heavens ? 

The day-god's beams 
From lake succeeding lake are hurled anew 
'Mid evening's purple mists. His dying hour. 
Like the departure of the human great, 



244 THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 

Is bathed with ripest glories ; fame and love 
And honor strew with roses bright their couch, 
And gild the last sight of their chariot-wheels 
With triumph's heavenly beams. 

The evening flush, 
The beautiful realms of cloud-land image forth 
The paradise the Indian brave expects 
To roam through, when full many moons have passed. 
Then bury by his side his faithful steed, 
And arrow-heads of sharpened stone, and bow, 
And beady belt with feathers broidered rich ; 
One day, a call shall burst his earthly bars. 
And- summon him to life's enraptured chase. 

PAE.T II 

WONDERS AND GLORIES OF THE WESTERN WORLD. 

Dim, in the voiceless, vast, and chilling gloom 
Of caverns unexplored to their dark bounds, 
Flits the gray shade of nations now extinct. 
Once roamed they where the Indian hunters roam ; 
And here in their weird sepulchres they sleep, 
Sitting for aye* in death's unmoving trance, — 
The glittering stalactites around 



• Bodies of the ancients are found, in a sitting posture, in the caverns of 
the West. The Indians, it is said, do not enter these caverns, believing 
that the Great Spirit pei'vades them with an especial presence. Hence the 
bodies are supposed to be those of an earlier race- -perhaps of a race akin 
to the Aztecs, For this statement I believe I am indebted to Mr. Brad- 
ford, to whose valuable work on Indian Antiquities the reader is referred 
for many interesting particulars. 



THE INDIAN COUNTEY. 245 

Their canopy of glory. Footsteps here 

Of the wild followers of their race ne'er break 

Upon the enchanted silence of their tomb ; 

But the Great Spirit — so the red man dreams — 

Makes these dim caves His solemn, holy shrines, 

And guilty mortals may not enter there. 

Yet may they tread beside His glorious work. 

When bends His glowing bow, and sounds His voice, 

Above Niagara's swift, majestic plunge ! 

There, sheeted in its pure and flashing foam, 

Lingers the warrior's ghost, and holds commune 

With the majesty of nature and of God.* 

Long, journeying rivers, whose untiring waves 

Touch shores a thousand leagues apart ; 

Vast, rolling plains, in flowery verdure clothed ; 

And rocks, f by nature's pencil pictured ; hills, 

Where lonely cities seem in ruin bowed, 

A-ud crumbling, pillared temples seem to gleam | 

In rich decay ; and mountain ranges high. 

Where springs the innocent antelope, and screams 

The kingly bird of heaven -, and, 'neath the sky 

Of blander climes, the grand, religious mounts, 

* Red Jacket, chief of the Senecas, expressed a belief that his spirit, 
after death, would linger about the falls of Niagara. 

t " The picture-rocks."' 

t Oa the Missouri may be seen appearances as of some ancient and bound- 
less city in ruins-^ramparts, terraces, domes, towers, citadels and castles, 
cupolas, magnificent porticos, and here and there a solitary column and 
crumbling pedestal, and even spires of clay, which stand alone and glisten 
in the distance as the sun's rays are reflected by the thousand crystals of 
gypsum imbedded in them. The colors are glowing and beautiful, and the 
effect highly picturesque. — Catlings Notes. 



246 THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 

Offering their incense and eternal fire 

Unto the favoring heavens ; these are but part 

Of nature's glories in her western world.. 



THE SCALP-DANCE BY TORCH IIGHX.* 

By the ghastly glare of torches bright, 

The red throng bound and dance ; 
How wildly flourish they the axe 

And the gory, feathered lance ! 
How firmly guarded still their breasts 

With the shields of thick skin tanned, 
That caught the poisoned eager darts ! 

Upheld by woman's hand, 
The scalps, with life's red drops still wet. 

Stream in the afi'righted air ; 
The maddened tramp and cry she hears 

Of warriors drunken there 
With war's infuriating draught ; 

For can this be but show ? 
That song of sad, but frightful notes, 

Shall soothe the anger low, 
And blunt the curses of those souls. 

That menance rankling woe. 



• The scalp-dance has been supposed to be conciliatory towards the manes 
of their victims, as well as in celebration of victory. It is danced by torch- 
light, and is pronounced impassioned and vivid in the extreme. 



THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 247 

DANCE TO THE MEDICINE OF THE BRAVE,* 

Now the dance is by the cabin 

Of the warrior's widowed bride, 
And the drum's triumphal music 

Sounds the bounding throng beside. 
They with hot gesticulation, 

Vaunt the hero's courage high, 
And, perchance, among their trophies, 

Those he took salute the eye. 

On a branch, before his wigwam, 

His mysterious pouch is hung ; 
And, beneath, the gifts of pity 

To the one bereaved are flung. 

Ere the half-month is departed 

She will dry her bitter grief. 
For that broidered fur he cherished, 

Wraps a charm of strong relief. 

SACRIFICES TO THE GREAT SPIRIT, 

The smile of God seems in the flushing heavens ; 
'Tis meet the glorious sun should now behold 
Man's sacrifices to that Spirit whence 
Sprang life and beauty on the earth. Send forth 
And load the airs that travel to His seat 
With incense of wild sage and odorous herbs 



• The dance of the Sacs, to the '' medicine-bag " of the brave, has been 
illustrated by Catlin. It lasts one hour in a day for a fortnight. The 
nledicine bag is honored by the Indians almost as a god, ever carried and 
often buried with him. It is made of various skins, frequently beautifully 
decorated. 



248 THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 

And leaves of spicy scent ; and let the choice, 

Best morsels from the slaughtered deer 

Be lifted up towards heaven. And scarlet cloths, 

And blue, like to the midnight sky, and fit 

For the shoulders of a mighty chief — let these 

Wave in the winds aloft. And on yon hills. 

Where shrink the stern rocks from th' Almighty's steps, 

When midnight spreads her cloudy wings in heaven. 

Spread forth the fringed, embroidered robe. 

Worked with bright feathers from the breasts of birds, 

Of changing hues, and soft and beautiful, 

And the fine quills of the porcupine, rich-dyed. 

As the great sun takes from the flow'ret's cup. 

And from the bubbling spring, (so small that trout 

Ne'er laved their pink and spotted sides therein,) 

A tribute faint ; so, from our stores shall He, 

The tassels of whose vast pavilion touch 

The boundaries of the universe, accept 

An offering from man, though it be small. 



THE AMUSEMENTS OF PEACE. 

Let the blood-red flag be furled — 
Peace, the blue-eyed, smiles again ; 

And beneath her smile there stealeth 
Music's sweet and tender strain.* 



• Ac^ording to the author last quoted, the songs of the Indian, in his 
quiet domestic hours, are sometimes quite sweet and tender, and pleasing- 
ly accompanied by a low murmuring from his drum. 



THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 249 

Now the Winnebago lover 

Softly blows his " courting flute ;" 
Through the wigwam's pictured cover,* 

Dark eyes answer to his suit. 

She, meanwhile, the robe is fringing, 

Which her warlike father wears ; 
But, while fringing and embroidering, 

She has thoughts beyond her cares. 

Now her brothers, in the boat race, 

Cleave the Mississippi's stream ; 
Or, in sport, with strength and fine grace, 

Wing the arrow like a beam. 

Some, upon their half-wild coursers, 

Bred upon the prairie vast, 
Full of nature's light and wildness. 

Everywhere are bounding past. 

Beauteous crests of eagle's feathers 

Plume the rider's peaceful brow ; 
Warring, chieftains only wear them — 

They may grace his forehead now. 

And upon his courser prancing, 

Lo ! the same proud crest is fixed ; 
On his lance, its grace enhancing. 

Plumes and streaming locks are mixed. 

Some, amid the deep-green ambush, 
Watch the wild-duck's reckless play, 

* In one or more of the tribes, their wigwams are elegantly decorated. 



250 THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 

Till the wane of evening's sky-flush 
Cheats the rifle of its prey. 

Some are listening to the legends 
Strange and beautiful that float 

Down tradition's misty current, 
That no pencil ever wrote. 

One discourseth how a wanderer 
Saw the ' heavenly sisters ' glide, 

In a blithe and fairy movement, 
As the leaves upon the tide : 

How, excited with their beauty, 
Forth he rushed upon the dance — 

But, alas ! beheld them vanish 
Back to heaven at a glance ; 

How again, transformed, he waited 
For their willow-car to lower 

Down to earth the twelve, whose shyness 
Made him yearn the more and more. 

How he sprang and clasped the youngest. 
And resumed at once his form — ■ 

His sweet prize to ask in wedlock, 
And to win with pathos warm. 

Then 'twas told how Waupee reveled 
For a year in nuptial bliss ; 

But that yet his boy and consort 
He was fated long to miss. 



THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 251 

She into her native heaven 

Floated in a woven car, 
And rejoined the bright eleven, 

In their paradise afar — 

As some tropic bird, imprisoned 

In a dull and dreary land. 
In a free and happy moment 

Darts out towards its native strand. 

But the beauteous boy reminded 

"Waupee's wife of earth and him ; 
And the boy desired to visit 

Mortals in that region dim. 

Waupee wept beside the circle 

Where the radiant fairies danced ; 
But at last he heard her chanting, 

And his eyes upon them glanced. 

With what joy he fondly clasped them, 

Heard the invitation kind. 
To bring up with them to heaven 

Gifts of living things behind ! 

His swift arrow won the offering — 

Then they soared above the ring, 
And with joy and feast were greeted 

By the gracious Starry King. 

And the guests took each a present. 
And were changed to what they chose ; 



252 iRE INDIAN COUNTRY. 

Waupee chose a white-hawk's feather — 
White-hawk's wings about him rose ! 

His devoted son and consort 

Chose the same, and they were changed ; 
And these hawks, to earth descending, 

Through its airy regions ranged,* 

When this curious tale was ended, 
One discoursed how there did rove 

One to find the bright pavilion 
Of the Lord of life and love. 

He was welcomed by a woman 

At the hallowed mountain's base — 

Purified by sacred waters — 
Brought before the Holiest's lace. 

In that place of light and beauty, 

Resting on a golden seat, 

He to God's commandments listened, 
Sitting near his awful feet.f 

Others tell how slumber's minions 
Watch to trance one night and day ; 

How to Manito's dominions 
Mortal feet have found the way. 

How one in a trance did journey 
On the road to Paradise, 

• The tale of "Waupee, or the TVhite-Hawk, is a Shawnee tale, given la 
H. R. Schoolcraft's work. He is the authority, too, for that which follows 
the story alluded to above. 

t An allusion to the story told to the Indians, by Pontiac, previous to 
tlie confederation against the English, in 1763, 



THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 253 

And that they who traveled thither 
Seemed in richly-burdened guise — 

Laden with the guns and weapons, 

Buried with them in their graves — 
Burning for the chase delightful, 

Where th' e'er-blooming prairie waves. 

In that land of light and beauty. 

Heaven's joys around them burst ; 
But disaster, foul and dreary, 

Strikes, ere there, the bad and cursed. 

Passing o'er a slippery pathway, 

O'er a deep and grim abyss, 
Missiles from a guard of spirits 

Cause them foothold sure to miss. 

Wrecked below in sharp misfortune, 

Circled with disgusting things, 
They catch gleams afar of heaven. 

Sighing for the gift of wings. 

But the frown of God th' Avenger 

Darkens like a midnight cloud ; 
And the torrent, rudely dashing, 

Roars about them hoarse and loud. 

Some aver they're sternly hastened 

To a bleak and frozen land, 
Where th' Eternal binds them, chastened, 

By His strong and dread command. 



254 THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 



HUNTING THE BUFFALO. 

List ye his thundering step ! How free 
Roams the enormous herd ! The prairie vast 
It darkens with its hosts. 

Now swift with bow 
And lance and gun, the Indian hunter flies 
Amidst his game. Some rush, in fright, afar ; 
The snorting of his steed is heard behind, 
And the swift arrow veils its sheen in blood. 
How staggers now the monster, gleaming wrath 
From his ensanguined eye ? The strength forsakes 
That massive neck which once the white wolf tossed, 
Howling and bleeding, far above his gang. 
Yet, see ! his spirit kindles ! Mad with pain, 
Against the conqueror's steed he turns. 
And, 'neath the fallen conqueror, dies. 

PART III. 
BURIAL PLACES. 

Wrapt in his ample robe of fur, and raised 
Above the reach of beasts of prey, repose 
The warrior receives ; the cup from whence 
Death's lips upon his shadowy way shall draw 
Refreshing draughts, is by his side : above, 
The green of summer waves. 

Yon stirless form. 
Wrapt in the bright-hued robe, a chieftain lived. 
And yonder scene of fleshless skulls, where bends 



THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 255 

The faithful form of woman, speaks her love. 
One yet will make society with him, 
"When dark corruption's frightful task is done : 
Then, trusting that the spirit dwelleth yet 
In its pavilion ghastly and forlorn, (as glowed 
Of old the golden branch in Hades' shades,) 
She'll breathe a thousand tender words, and bring 
A banquet for the tasteless mouth of death. 
Have ye not seen a soft and luminous mist, 
That seem'd astray from the rich, kindling verge 
Of an evening cloud, and hovering o'er a dim 
And noisome fen, with rotting fatness cloyed ? 
Lo ! in this loathsome place of skulls and bones, 
Where wings of birds obscene in death's foul courts 
Flap with unwelcome sound. Love's tender eye 
Pours its impassioned beams, and lights the scene, 
Sacred to beautiful thoughts and feelings pure ; 
So shines a jewel in a coffin's dust, — 
And flowers in glorious beauty spring and bloom 
On ground with war's libations rank and damp ; 
And so a pure and lovely thought I've seen. 
Sparkling amid profane and unchaste verse. 
Fond, weeping widow ! dry those useless tears ; 
Nor waste those tender memories on the air ; 
The cold and vacant ear of death no breath 
Shall catch of all thy blandishments ; nor voice 
Ever from 'mid the silent air shall give 
The answer to thy fondnesses. Are not 
Thy children languishing for thy return, — 
Unhappy while no parent's beaming smile 
Invites to happiness and fearless mirth J 



256 THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 

RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES. 

When annually the day of hoi}'- rites 
Convokes the people of the tribe, 'tis wont 
Some implement of sharpened edge to cast 
A sacrifice to water. For, with such, 
The ancient ark was from the forest hewed, 
And that meet offering, they say, may still 
Propitiate the Spirit of the streams, — 
That mighty deity, whose voice unsealed 
The secret prisons of the chafing springs, 
And whelmed the world in wrath ! 

The willow-boughs, 
Whose leaves, 'tis said, the wearied dove then bore. 
Now in the village meet the gazer's eye ; 
And the rude semblance of the ark now forms 
The hallowed centre of the throng. And there. 
Within the sacred lodge, convene the youths 
Whose patience soon shall superstition, pride, 
And stern remorse try with their galling scourge, 
'Till nature sinks beneath the torment fierce. 

THE TRIUMPH OF CHEISTIANITT. 

Genius of love ! in whose blest hands the torch ^ 
Glows with celestial and unfading fire. 
Caught from the altars of the skies, and rich 
With mercy's tints of beauty, — thou whose beams 
Rushed arrowy and bright amid the forms 
Which ancient superstition shaped and fed 
With rites unholy, cruel and unchaste, 



THE INDIAN COUNTEY. 257 

Firing the exploding mass that shook the fanes 
Of mighty gods, and piercing hopeless through 
The panic-struck, disbanded deities ; 
Thou, unto whom Thy Father, God, hath given 
The nations for a gift, and earth thy realm, 
Are not these haunts of sin and folly thine, — 
By right a part of thy domain, — the scene 
Where thy pure star should triumph and dispel 
The murky reign of pagan night ? Arise ! 
And let thy heavenly plumage beam where roll 
The blue Columbia's waters, and where soar 
The rocky mountains of the west ; and there, 
Unto the sad, benighted, wandering tribes, 
The gladdening gates of Paradise unbar. 
Chanting the words of mercy's music-call. 

XOOSING THE WILD HORSE. 

How wildly beautiful the prancing troop ! 

The riot glad of energy and health. 

Which curb nor hardship ne'er repressed, 

Beams forth in every form and bound. In vain 

The hunter dashes at full speed to reach 

The noblest of that group. With streaming mane 

And rivaling the wind, he speeds afar : 

The lasso 'round the laggards coils its noose, 

And gracefully their liberty they yield 

For man's companionship and toil : 'tis meet. 

THE SNOW-SHOE DANCE. 

Lo ! Lo ! how soft and bright 
Gleaming fair with hope's soft light, 
17 



258 THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 

Winter's gift is on the plains, 
Precious as the summer-rains. 
Now the snow-shoe light and fleet 
Bears us up with clogless feet ; 
Now on him be jeer and shame 
Who shall fail to bring the game ! 

Lo ! lo ! 
In the deep, deep snow, 
Flounders now the Buffalo. 

Dance, dance. 

Wave the lance ; 

Welcome winter's white advance. 

Now remember 

In November 
To send up to heaven our thanks 

For the treasure 

Without measure, 
Which rejoices all our ranks. 

THE GKEAT PIPE STONE QUARRY. 

In a lone, distant region of the West 
A mighty quarry of red stone is seen, 
Engraved with symbol names. The spot is robed 
With strange and hallowed mystery. Long since, 
(So Indian legends tell) the Great and Good 
Did consecrate those rocks to blessed peace. 
The war-like cry there never must be heard ; 
But from those stones the pipe of peace be formed 
Whose fumes the fiery pulse of War allay. 
Seeming, like Autumn's haze, to breathe repose. 



THE STORY OF GERALDINE KURNER. 



Come, sweetest Olive ; this is strange, new ground 
To feet of thine, I ween ; and I rejoice 
That o'er this valley now the full-orb'd moon 
Claims the blue empire of bewitching night, 
And sheds o'er summer's pomp her beams. 

This scene. 
In hour so favorable, I would should ope 
Upon your tasteful eye. In yonder glen. 
Among wild, moss-grown rocks, 'neath hanging vines 
And affluent chestnut and acacia boughs, 
A torrent brawls with ceaseless din ; the haunt 
Of ring-doves and the noisy owls : now list ! 
It is their cry ; and shudder not ; no sounds 
More startling ever thro' this lone vale break ; 
Beyond those wooded hills that bound our sight 
The hardy huntsmen have pursued the wolves 
To the dark caverns in the mountain-side. 
Here, by this gray, cathedral ruin, crouched 
Upon this mossy seat, let us survey 
Fearless, the enchanting scene. But did I seek 
Bliss for myself alone, — from this fair scene, 
In the voluptuous pomp of nature drest. 
To thee, my gentlest Olive, I would turn : 



260 GERALDINE KUENER. 



And in thy rarest face (where thought divine 

Blendeth its high refinement with the charms 

Sweet innocence and lovely smiles diffuse,) 

The garden of a perfect beauty find. 

I look on Nature and upon the page 

Where Poetry in liquid, musical stream 

The gems of her imaginations fine 

And glow of fervid passions hath enshrined, 

(As sparkling stones and shells in crystal rills,) 

I look upon her lovely page, and yet, 

My gentlest Olive, unto thee I turn. 

When thou art near, or when thy image beams, 

My heart is full of love and thoughts of thee 

And of thy love and of the smiles thou givest. 

As is the full-blown rose with sweetness, when 

Its god looks on it from the summer skies ; 

Or as the air with song and light when June 

Resumes her rose-wreathed and embowered throne. 

This view is lovelier now that thou art here ; 

A lovelier romance is brooding soft 

O'er yonder valley flecked with moony flash, 

Cast from the streams half-hid. And this rich scene 

Of mouldering beauty 'round us, of quaint shaft 

And pinnacles and statues fallen and wreathed 

With wandering, graceful vines, (like visions fond 

Of those who are benumbed in death, entwined 

Thickly with love's warm thoughts,) all this rich scene 

Borrows from thee enchantment. These old walls 

Echoed with the solemn music of the chant 

Not many years ago. The ghosts of Hymns, 



GERALDINE KURNER. 261 

Te Deums, Litanies and Sancti high 

Seem here to linger still, and 'neath yon arch 

Upon the ears of sacred solitude 

To breathe the echoes of their ancient power. 

Beneath this transept's roof, (now fallen in dust) 

The deep bass of the organ trembled ; all 

The groined vault and vine-capt piers did shake ; 

And on those heaving and impassioned waves 

The voice of sweet-lipped music stirred, the heart 

Enraptured rose unto the Throne of power. 

Here once a fane to Aphrodite rose ; 

Seest not yon composite capital that bares 

Its time-stained ovolo and chaste volute 

Thro the vine's ample leaves ? And see ! 

Of the florid cornice a grey fragment lies. 

The rites of Venus and her rosy fires, 

The dancing youths with cheeks by passion flushed, 

Nor more amid this bowery paradise 

Honor the Queen of beauty and th' imagined throne 

Whence Love's delicious lightnings rained. The star 

That rose o'er Bethlehem's manger shot its powers 

Upon this distant clime ; and faint and sick 

Flickered the flames in Cytherea's shrine ; 

Her priestesses fled from her vacant courts. 

Then holy men an altar reared within 

Sacred to emblems of the love divine : 

And Aphrodite's devotees their voice 

Raised in loud " Glorias " and hymns of joy. 

So in the temple of the human heart 

Where love's idolatry has madly burned 



262 GERALDINE KURNER. 

And passion's wild extravagance, — have Hope, 
Fresh from the climes of heaven and holy love, 
With all the flowers and fragrance that she brings, 
A shining circle of unspotted thoughts, 
E'en virtues' priceless glory, found a shrine. 
But now the holy anthem wafts no voice 
Throughout this ancient pile. A peaceful nook 
The owl hath found within, and o'er the floors 
The serpent unmolested glides. 'Tis lone, — 
Lone as her heart who in the grave has laid 
Children and husband dear, and desolate 
And darkly veiled is weeping. Lone ? 
" Lone," did I say ? Ah ! no ; for God is here : 
And here (as sweet south winds thro' groves,) 
Glide angel spirits, who do love the spot 
Where souls were freed in early days from guilt 
And error's fearful chains by love and truth : 
And some imagine, those blest souls do haunt 
With tender, rapturous joy this hallowed ruin, 
As odors linger o'er the lifeless rose 
Where they in summer's hours of bliss were born, 
Or twilight gleams long haunt the purple grave 
Where the sun's vivifying glories sank. 
Now listen, I will tell thee a strange tale 
Which to this spot belongeth : In the halls, 
The castle-halls of Kurner, lived a maid 
So sweet and beautiful that time and wo, 
Methinks, should e'er have spared her charms : 
Yea, on such virtues mellow summer-glows 
Of bland experience, ripening, may they fall ! 



GERALDINE KURNER. 263 



Her father planned a marriage-scheme : De Groot, 
Dark-eyed and passionate, and stately, rich 
And proud, should be her consort : But De Groot 
Was vicious : vice, with happiness, you know. 
Is prone to quarrel ; and she loved him not. 
And feared to wed him. But an upright one, 
(For, such an one he then was justly deemed,) 
Upon whose countenance the noble stamp 
Of intellect and virtue was aflSxed, 
An impress clear as summer's on a peach, — 
Was shrined within her heart. The day was fixed 
When Lord De Groot should wed her : but her lips 
Protested, as her heart, against the scheme. 
Her lover, tho' forbidden to approach, his love 
Told in soft whispers in the starlight dim. 
Burdening that willing messenger, the air, 
With treasures from the heart's exchequer rich. 
And made the night musical and sweet to her. 
They fled, as you surmise. One autumn day. 
When in the chase, her father roved the woods. 
Young Haller to the altar of this church 
Bore off the gentle prize ; and trembling she. 
Yet willing but for fear, as is the lamb 
To listen to the shepherd's flute at hand. 
Or feel the smoothings of his kindly palms. 
All deeply veiled she entered. The keen eye 
Could not detect Lord Kurner's daughter ; nor 
Surmised the priest that the fair maiden spurn'd 
The hand of her proud suitor. Yet in fear 
Some gentle runaway besought his aid 



264 GBRALDINE KURNER. 

To bind in bonds forbidden her young hand, 
He asked her name and residence. Sudden fears 
Chased all remaining color from her cheek : 
But quick her lover in alarm replied 
" 'Tis Olive Mayner ; far from here, her lands 
Spread broadly to the sunshine ; and her sire 
Sleeps in the silent grave." Now Olive dwelt 
Indeed afar, but yet well known was she 
Among the priestly corps ; and known as one 
Of liberal words, — a heretic whose mind 
(Blest and enkindled with truth's holy light) 
An influence glanc'd around which roused the hate 
Of divers of the priest-hood near. A flash 
Of strange excitement lit the monk's swart face ; 
Then loud the organ pealed a marriage hymn, — 
And they were soon in wedlock. 

Tremblingly 
Her noble steed she mounted ; by her side 
Young Haller hurried on with rapid speed ; 
Scarce from those pallid lips a kiss he stole, 
But hastened on thro' unfrequented paths. 
The deep and almost trackless woods for miles, 
Were witnesses of their impetuous haste. 
Yet, for a few brief moments they delayed 
In the shady forests' depths. On lovely banks 
Of moss, with pale-blue violets and grass 
Besprinkled, they delayed. Around her neck, 
His arms he fondly threw ; and pressed those lips 
With love's impassioned emphasis. Above 



GERALDINE KURNER. 265 

The warm, glad current of afl'ection, rose 

Fair visions of the future ; happy hours lit up « 

With home's serene delights ; sweet as spring's blooms ; 

A father reconciled, — a mother's smile ; 

New budding hopes and former hopes bright-crowned 

With this fruition. So, a moment, he. 

In joy's bright cup, beneath the foamy brim 

Immersed his raptured lips. The woods 

Soon rang again with their impetuous speed. 

An hour passed on. When from a bye path, dim 

With overhanging boughs and thickleaved brush, 

Three sturdy ruffians, armed and mounted well, 

Sprang at their horses' heads. The damsel swooned ; 

And Haller drew his virgin sword in haste 

But drew in vain ; two valiant arms their steel 

So dexterously wielded, he was hurled 

Down from his charger, wounded and appalled. 

Then the stern three the fair one seized, 

As a cruel hawk the dove, — and bore her off 

Swift to a gloomy crypt or prison. 

Soon 
Young Haller woke as from a fearful dream. Faint 
With the loss of blood, yet so relieved of pain 
That he upon his steed again could mount. 
How suddenly the glow of marriage joy 
Went down in darkness ; as a lovely star 
Smiling a moment at its rising, then with clouds 
Shrouded in utter gloom ; as tho' the strains 
Of some exulting melody were, at the height 



266 GERALDINE KURNER. 

Of ravishment most strangely, madly dashed 
With shrieking discord, followed by the hush 
And silence of the chords unstrung, and broken. 
genius of the happiness of Love ! 
Who for a moment visiteth our gloom ! 
How soon the glory of thy wings grows dim, — 
Thy beauty vanishing from the tearful eye afar ! 
What agony now wrung his heart ! where 
Was she whom he adored 1 And who assailed 1 
Fierce, reckless, bandits ? And was she the slave 
Of their remorseless lust ? Oh ! horrid thought ! 
That sacred vessel grace a pagan feast ? 
Were they but thieves 7 He drew his purse : 
The tempting gold within it was untouched. 
Perhaps, he mused, they were the errand men 
Lord Kurner had dispatched to capture back 
The gentle prize he bore away from home. 
Then soon he might again in her fond smiles, 
He argued, be at rest : For Kurner's ire 
Tho' furious and rash, was wonted soon 
Its flaming, surging vehemence and roar 
T' abate, and offer tempting calm for words 
And actions unto reconciliation fit : 
Soon would relax his heart ; and his stern brow 
Learn bland, forgiving aspects. While he paused 
In thoughts like these, the tramp of hoofs 
Was heard near by ; and soon, by few 
Accompanied, Lord Kurner with severest frown 
Rushed to confront him, " Daring wretch !" 
He thundered ; " how is it thou hast presumed 



GERALDINE KDRNER. 267 

To invade the sanctuary of my home, and rob 
That home of its fair treasures ? Now confess, 
Upon the instant, where thou hast concealed 
The girl whom thou has snared and witched away 
From happiness and duty." Then replied 
The unhappy bridegroom with brief words like these : 
" Good sir ; in agony I speak. I know not where 
Thy daughter can be sought : three ruffians grim 
Upon this very spot assaulted us ; first me 
They quite unhorsed ; and wounded, and bereft 
Of strength, they left me or to live or die, — 
Bearing her in their flight. Did'st thou not send 
These men upon their errands ?" 

" thou wretch 
What hast thou done ! Good heavens ! do I hear 
Thy words aright ? My idol in the hands 
Of lawless bandits ! Draw thy sword, or die ! 
This outrage now I charge on thee : And thou 
Must pay the forfeit for this villainy." He smote ; 
And Haller only parried blows, — but fell ; 
Alas ! he fell ! sinking in death's dark swoon, 
And faintly saying, " tell my bride I loved 
And spake of love in death ; may God forgive 
This guilt of thine, my father." Thus he died. 
Soon, not unpierced of conscience, Kurner sprang 
Upon his saddle, and on every side his search 
He urged with restless zeal. In time was solved 
The tragic mystery. In a dungeon dim. 
By priestly mandate, she had been immured ; 



268 GERALDINE KURNER. 

They, from young Haller's words, surmised their noose 
Had fallen o'er a heretic's head. 

When Kurner knew 
His daughter had been wedded; that the words 
Of Haller had the angry priesthood moved 
To send their emissaries to entrap the girl 
(Fancied fair Olive Mayner,) and that she 
Was all unharmed, bitterest regrets his breast 
Long haunted for his rashness ; ah ! too late ! 
Young Haller was no more ! Most poignant grief 
Wrung the fond maiden's breast. Her father's house 
Her soft step knew again ; but not those smiles 
Pleasanter than the rose-light of fairy lamps ; 
And not the happy tones of that sweet voice 
And laughter merry as the little birds 
That rock on the boughs in June. A fearful gloom 
Brooded upon her mind. The flowers even lost 
Their wonted beauty in her sight ; and her sad eyes 
Familiar grew with tears as are the shells 
Upon the ocean-strand with briny spray. 
One day, with her attendants, she rode far 
And visited the fatal spot ; the ground 
Where they in love's embraces sat, she pressed 
And gathered thrice-kissed violets from the grass -, 
With dismal sobs and tears she long bedewed 
The memory-hallowed sod. But ne'er again 
Her father's halls her beauty graced ; for there 
In the green forests, on the flowery turf, 
She stooped, and died. Mourn e'er and sigh. 



GERALDINE KUENER. 269 

solemn woods, a requiem o'er that scene ! 

And from your wreathed heads drop frequent tears 

To water that fair bank of violets 

The offering, now, of nature to their names. 

But, Olive, see ! the lengthening shades forewarn 

All loiterers like us, that Eve apace 

Advances ; hark ! the solemn woods are waked 

By sounds of melancholy night-birds who, 

The gairish day ne'er sweeten with their song, 

But make night sad and charming. Yon tree-top 

Scarce trembles in the dying breeze ; afar, I see, 

Thro' openings in the groves, the hunters slow 

And laden with their game move towards their homes. 

'Tis fit our steps should likewise turn to seek 

Our homes and the sweet concourse of the Eve. 

But ere we quit this scene, well may we weigh 

How one incautious word untrue may spring 

A snare of fatal misery o'er the heart. 

And bury pleasure in a bloody grave. 



THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SKY. 



Nature's cathedrals, grand in lofty towers 

And spires of icy glory piercing heaven ; 

With vaulted caves o'erhung by crystal'd showers, 

Pendent in bright stalactites ; 'tis given 

To you, when your proud heights at even 

Are bathed in mellow splendor and reflect 

From waterfalls and icy cliffs the seven 

Rich, rainbow hues, — 'tis yours to thus project 

The type of beauty, grandeur and of strength erect. 

As hymns of praise sincere, far in the skies 

Ascend the soaring larks, 'till like dim specks 

They fl.oat amid the blue ; yet they arise 

But as 'twere o'er the grass, if we reflect 

How boundless, airy sea, thy deeps ! How decks 

The Almighty Sovereign the ceiling grand. 

Studding the blue with golden fires ! While vex 

The waterfalls their torrents ; tho' the land 

Gorgeously glows ; ye boundless skies, our song demand ! 

It is the lovely hour of Eve : the hour of thought, 
Of waking visions steeped in twilight hues : 
Above the blooming fascinations here inwrought 
Into the face of Nature, may I lose 



THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SKY. 271 

My thougM in yon expanse and there infuse 
My spirit in the essence pure and fine 
Which fills with poetry pure as with sweet dews 
Or fragrance delicate the air above. Divine, 
sky, is thy inspiring breath ; unmatched thy glories 
shine ! 

But, list ! it is the breath of that blue world 
Stirring amid the sleeping boughs, and wakening all 
The slumbering loveliness of Nature, 'till unfurled 
Far in the breeze her banners green in the hall 
Of purple-curtained Night toss free. For all, 
E'en for the humblest of the Earth, must we 
Learn, like the sky, to smile, and to each call 
To shed the soft-distilling dew of pity free 
And nobler gifts and favors showered liberally. 

How swells the mighty music of the storm, 

Sounding the strong, loud tenor of the sky ! 

While flies in gloomy, furious haste its form, 

The stately trees bend o'er their heads; some lie 

Prostrate in dust and deep humility ; 

As when, upon the desert, pilgrims bow • 

Submission to that tyrant of the sky, 

The hot Simoom. As storms the air, so now 

May trials purify, and with meek grace endow. 

Boundless and beautiful and glorious sky ! 
Type of the infinite ; pavilion vast 
Of the Almighty's Spirit : we descry 



272 THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SKY. 

In th' faintest, farthest glimmerings of the last 

Of Night's bright, gold-mailed host but where have passed 

The angel choir the smallest circling zone 

Of their wide, wondrous range : thence cast, 

The lines of their blue traverse-fields are thrown 

Far as the thoughts of God in* power creative shone. 

If thither, to the centre grand of all, 

Our thoughts upon the wings of prayer ascend, 

Our souls, drawn in their wake, up towards the hall 

Of might supreme, will follow, and unbend 

In the free air of heaven from toils that lend 

Their aspects of solicitude and woe ; 

Thence God his glory and his rule defends, 

(The central Power to which the world doth bow,) 

As o'er his orbs the Sun his luminous sway doth throw. 

Uttered one word ; and all the golden fruit 

Which clusters on the arching arbor blue, 

Would fall to wreck, and from their stations shoot ; 

As when the mighty gusts of heaven down threw 

From orange bowers their glory, (thick as dew 

Sprinkled upon the ground,)when tempests raved 

With direst fury on some tropic isle : A new 

And startling splendor, at one word, forth waved 

Would wrap the earth and air, no more from ruin saved. 



LOVE'S OVERRULING DECREES. 



All vainly now, ye things of beauty glow. 
Ye forms of Art sculptured by skill divine ; 
"Weak now, if dazzling once, your show ; 
Your rarest charms have ceased awhile to shine. 

The glossy and illumined page inscribed 
With the rich thoughts and dreamings of the Muse 
Tempts me no more ; and where I erst imbibed 
Delight in history's wells, there joy I lose. 

Music, thou soft enchantress that transmutes 
The breath of flowers, the gush of light to song ; 
That changeth thought, and eloquence dilutes 
To melody, canst not thy spell prolong. 

Your fascinations now are vain : 'tis thine. 
Yes, thine alone, immortal seraph, Love, 
To claim my raptured homage ; still divine 
In wealth of blessing to thy votary prove. 

As asks the parched and ashy soil no boon 
Save what the clouds in sparkling wealth can give : 
As yearns the prisoner in his dungeon's gloom 
Solely for Freedom's light, therein to live : 
18 



274 love's oveeruling decrees. 

As craves the famislied heart no gift but food ; 

The faint and thirsty ask for drink alone ; 

So crave I only for the matchless good 

That thou, Love, canst shower from thy throne. 

But as within the mountain's heart unseen. 
Are often locked deep springs and swelling founts 
Which burst at length their walls and flash their sheen 
'Mid thriftier, livelier verdure down the mount : 

So, in the bosom, oft, the fullness swells 
Of yearnings and afiections deep as life ; 
Profound and sleepless in their mystic wells. 
And bursting forth, in time, with vigor rife. 

Impatient founts those holy passions prove 
"Within my heart, Alice mild and sweet : 
Speak but the word, and all their wealth of love 
In power shall flow, and thy dear presence greet. 

Full many a fancy green and bright shall spring, 
While nurtured by that free, rejoicing stream ; 
And aspirations fair and fine take wing 
In hope's delightful air, and love's bright beam. 

The planets circle 'round their suns on high ; 
The moons around their planets ever move : 
The birds keep near their nests and mates ; so I 
Discern my thoughts from thee averse to rove. 



BAPTISM. 



As the light that beams in the watery streams, 
First on the brow of the penitent cast 
Doth fall, as he stands 'neath the upraised hands ; 
So Truth on the mind first is passed. 

As the waters that flow o'er that sealed brow 
In their clear, natural Sowings purify ; 
So the pardoning grace from the soul doth chase 
Guilt's filth and stains of every dye. 

As the waters refresh the wearied flesh, 
And a pleasant serenity leave ; 
So, the comforting peace of the Spirit release 
To the woe of the bosom doth give. 

As the stream from the wave which the forehead doth lave, 
In a fine, dewy vapor doth rise ; 
So the warmth of the breast, for the blessing possest, 
A gratitude breathes to the skies. 



CONFIRMATION. 

Transplanted from the Church's nursery, now 

Into the garden of the Lord ye're brought ; 

May Heaven's choice dew upon you shed, 

Nourish the vigor of prolific life, 

And cause with noble firmness your strong roots 

Deeply in your positions to descend ! 

ever stretch aloft beseeching arms, 

As flourishing boughs that yearn up towards the sun ; 

And to the Orb of spiritual glory offer 

The modest, blushing fruits of righteousness. 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 



The soul were faint, 
Without the rare and nourishing food which Thou, 
bleeding Savior, to our mournful plaint 

Affordest now. 

How hot and dry 
With th' low, sin-sick fever of the heart 
Were all within, if sweet draughts Love's blest sky 

Did not impart ! 

How dark and drear 
Were life, unless a dawn-like ray did shine 
Upon us, from the crimsoned cross, to cheer 

With light divine ! 

Partaking now 
Of these the emblems of thy flesh and blood, 
By grateful, humble faith we taste below 

Celestial food. 

Our onward way 
As pilgrims full refreshed with commune sweet 
And with choice banquet, we resume to day 

With willing feet. 



278 THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 



Beneath the palms, 
The grand, eternal palms of Heaven's blest plains, 
May we, our journey o'er, rest free from harms 

In Christ's domains. 

In that high feast 
Which there the ransomed shall partake in joy, 
May it be ours, in humble place at least, 

To find employ ! 

The withering sprout. 
Which here the Heavenly Gardener in his vineyard placed, 
May then be shown in foliage full-leaved out. 

With fruitage graced. 

Those leaves perfumed, 
(The graces of the Spirit opened here,) 
Will there bedeck Christ's festal glory doomed. 

And ne'er be sere. 

The precious blood 
Which He around the languishing root did shed 
Will then be fully deemed like quickening food 

To raise the dead : 

The banquet rare 
Which we partake by faith, in grateful love, — 
This rich, reviving mercy, — it must share 

Esteem above. 



SCROON LAKE, N. Y. 



Upon the lake the stars are bright ; 

The glorious moon scarce yet her light 

Flings o'er the fleecy clouds that rest 

Upon the hill-top high their breasts. 

Par out upon the waters now 

Glide we in this light skiff, with prow 

Turned toward the Scroon's most wide expanse, 

Where wild-birds wake and ripples glance 

Beside the beach of sand or shores 

Where 'gainst steep rocks the white wave wars 

When winds are high. How beautiful ! 

The moon is up ! and dutiful 

Around her path the stars retire 

Quenching in seas above their fire. 

How lone, how beautiful, how grand ! 

In wood-girt pomp the mountains stand 

And gaze upon the slumbering lake, 

As e'en the aged gaze nor take 

That wondering look from off the face 

Of one in whom the witching grace 

Of beauty fresh and radiant glows. 

And so may he who clearly shows 

The signs of cold, rude shocks, the storm 

Which hath impressed both mind and form, 



280 SCROON LAKE. 

Look down and see thro' memory's air 

With pleased eye the vision fair 

Of youth's fresh life of peace and bliss, — 

A picture soft like that calm lake 

Which charms with beauty which doth take 

Heaven's hues and its bright glistenings. 

How sad the strain the night-bird sings 

In the dense shadow of that grove ! 

minstrel ! why so sad ? to rove 

In liberty is thine -, 'tis thine, the sky 

Kindling with starry brilliancy, — 

And thine the boundless fields and shades, 

The seedy herbage in the glades. 

And gush of springs from rocky cleft. 

Say : art thou of thy mate bereft, — 

Or has some pitiless tempest flung 

From rocking boughs thy unfledged young ; 

Or, canst thou, like a human heart, 

Know unrequited love's keen smart,* 

And feel life's spring-tide light and bloom 

Thro' blasted hope to grief give room ? 

Can expectations dark o'erpower 

Thy breast in life's young, tuneful hour, — 

The dread of some devouring woe 

Hang heavily like storms of snow ? 

why that mournful strain repeat 

So wild and strange and sadly sweet ? 



• I have seen this idea in some bard, I think, but forget who first used it. 



SCEOON LAKE. 281 

Upon the edge of yonder isle 
The heron lingers yet awhile, 
Poised on one foot : he hears the oar 
Of our swift skiff, and stands no more ; 
But, spreading towards the northern sky 
His wide, grey wings, he seeks his nest 
To fold his pinions there at rest. 
But see ! roused by his heavy flight, 
The wild swan with his plumage white 
Striped with a dark ring round his neck 
Soars up and far, till like a speck 
He seems in distant moonlit skies.* 
The slumbering loon near yon far shore 
Wakes, as the swan speeds by, to pour 
His notes so like a loud halloo ; 
They echo all the region through. 
Seest thou that rugged steep ? from there 
Mt. Marcy thou canst see to bear 
His crown majestical, in state, 
A monarch 'mid his nobles great. 
Here thro' these forests stretching wide 
And vested with the pomp and pride 
Of nature in her early years, 
Supple and graceful spring the deer. 
Free thro' these ranges wild to roam ; 
By many a stream and lake at home ; 
Free as the swallows of the shore 

• A large white swan was seen in Scroon Lake some years ago This 
allusion may be mostly if not wholly due to Noble's admirable lines on the 
wild swan in Huron. 



282 SCROON LAKE. 

That skim the billow's crest or soar 
Far as they choose from the sheltered banks 
Where their nests are ranged in social ranks. 
Where twilight gleams have ceased to shine, 
Towards yonder realm of day's decline, 
The catamount ranges ; seldom here 
A shape so fearful doth appear, — 
Quenching his thirst within the Scroon, 
Or springing 'mongst the trees aboon. 

Here, now, companions, let us rest 

Amid the lake's calm shining breast ; 

What beauty here the eye enchants, 

And to the mind enraptured grants 

The brilliant traits of wild romance 

As potent here to realize. 

Where nature w^ears such glorious guise. 

And shows, too, beauty's lovelier smiles. 

What wonder she the heart beguiles 

Away from the love of the crowded street 

And the rooms where the gay and formal meet. 

But, 'mid night's blue, high rides the moon 
And we must leave thee, charming Scroon ! 
This ramble feigned upon thy breast 
Must cease, and we, too, sink to rest. 
0, when death's solemn night is near. 
May I fair hopes of heaven see clear 
Within the page of promise sweet 
Which sacred writ displays to greet 



S CROON LAKE. 283 



All hearts who with God's love do beat ; 
Hopes, visions, clearly glassed as beams 
Of starlight or the moon's in streams 
UnrufHed, or as heaven's fair sheen 
Is mirrored in thy calm this e'en. 



THE GLORY OF ART. 

Seest thou upon yon high and radiant throne 
A spirit of majestic brow and mien ; 
With form of wildering beauty and with face 
Wherein the beams of power and love are seen ? 
'Tis wondrous Art : sweet Art, — it is to thee 
We offer now the burst of minstrelsy. 

As doth the Sun to beauty and to life 

E'er minister with high and strong control ; 

The hues of beauty summoning, and all 

Life's mystic currents gladdening, — 'till the soul 

Is rapt with nature's loveliness ; so, Art 

Enkindles thought, — refinement bright imparts. 

She bids the scene historic rise afresh 

Before the charmed eye in life's rich hues ; 

Forth from their dim, deep caverns she compels 

The spirits of the dead ; and then imbues 

Their misty forms with force and light ; they stand 

Embodied, and act o'er Earth's drama grand. 

The fields of fancy and of feeling, — these 
Are thine, illustrious, sorrow-cheering Art ! 
Life's grosser scenes and passions to forsake 



THE GLORY OF ART. 285 

The witchery of thy triumphs wins the heart ; 
As morning's beauty woos the mist to rise 
From rank, dark fens to brighten in the skies. 

While fancies, poetry, and lovely dreams, 
Fair as Love's wings, or as Hope's sunniest smile, 
And lofty thoughts, sublime as Alpine heights. 
Engage thy power ; e'er let not aught beguile 
From sacred themes, — whose spirit grandeur lends ; 
Earth's loftiest triumphs claim some sacred ends. 



WASHINGTON AT THE BATTLE OF PRINCETON. 

Bright meteor on the hot, dark cloud of war, 

Whose beams the Hght of liberty dispense. — 

Star-like, lit up with fixed, unwavering ray ! 

I see that form majestical advance 

In danger's thickest maze. The veteran ranks 

With their drilled courage, and the deadly blaze 

That prostrates hundreds, shock his breaking lines. 

On bravely mid the thickest hail he rushed. 

Sublimely scornful of the grave : and then, 

Amid the sulphurous theatre of death. 

He, for an instant, stood. Altho' unknown. 

That sacred form unseen was panoplied 

In Freedom's own invulnerable mail. 

His eye, where wontedly deep calmness dwelt. 

Flashed with defiance and unfaltering zeal. 

And seemed the orb of Freedom's morning-star 

O'er the threat'ning shades of battle risen. 

Firmness each feature chiseled : fire 

That death's dark baptism alone could quench, 

Gleamed in his sword and in his dauntless mien. 

With thrills sublime they see their fearless chief, 

And rush once more to the encounter red 

As speeds the Delaware to his ocean-goal, 

Or Morn's bright-arrow'd onset towards retreating Night. 



WASHINGTON AT PEINCETON. 287 

In vain, in vain, invaders ! pierces now 

Your haught}'' flag the clouds of war. E'en now" 

Falters the pulse of hope : yea, dark dismay, 

In strong and solemn tones, bids ye behold 

Your sovereign, — Death ! Plumeless the oppressor's death ; 

The grave of tyranny ; with no tears gemm'd ; 

Watched by no angel-eye ; nor mourned aloud 

By the sad spirits that bewail the good ; 

The very stars dispense malignant fire 

And wilt the accursed grass that o'er it grows ; 

And, ages after battle's turmoil calmed, 

The vultures on that lone, lone spot alight 

To tear the hideous spoil they've borne from far. 

Great Nemesis who on yon castled hills * 
Gazeth afar upon War's fortunes, notes 
Upon her fearful scroll the shifting gales 
Prompted by her avenging breath ; and on 
Thy scutcheon, America, engraves 
Symbols of triumph and of power. Rush on ! 
They fly, they fly ! unharmed your chieftain soars 
'Mid the wild rush of victory's shouting hosts ! 
March on ! and let the brazen prizes peal 
In thunder to the skies, " we will be free." 

And you, ye dying heroes, hear ye not, 
Above the call of death's dark angel, loud 



• Alluding to natural rock-castles, or picturesque bold summits of moun- 
tains. 



288 WASHINGTON AT PEINCETON. 

The joyous shout ? doth it not light your eye, 

Whereon the world is fading, and revive 

The faltering tides of joy ? Yes ! yes ! And staunch 

Those gurgling w^ounds, and nerve those flagging arms ? 

Ah, no ! the early streaks alone of dawn 

In Freedom's sky can greet you : Fare you well ! 

Winged with God's pardons, may your spirits flit 

To realms where battle's fearful cry ne'er sounds, 

Nor tyrant's frowns are known ; but Love's bright flag 

Far waving from the sapphire palace-towers 

Glows in the air of Heaven. 

There is a field 
Where nobler wreaths are won ; and brighter gleams 
The arms of that unsanguined war: Faith, love, 
Meekness and prayer ; these are the weapons true 
That overcome the spirit of the world, 
And storm e'en Heaven's gateways. " Bloodless " 
Did I name that holy war ? Alas ! the snows 
Of Europe's mountain-heart have blushed with hues 
Shed not alone from sunset's crimson pall ; 
Her pure, rejoicing streams have flushed with dyes 
Caught nor from fire-bird's hovering wings, nor sands 
Purple and glimmering from the rocky steeps. 
Fierce persecution's tiger-grasp has wrung 
How many a faithful martyr's heart ! 
Forgotten now : nor famed in sculptured stone ; 
In saintly lists uncanonized, nor borne 
Upon the tireless wings of song above 
The realms of change, oblivion and death, — 



WASHINGTON AT PEINCETON. 289 

Yet in thy memory blazoned, King of Kings ! 
Still live and bloom on high those hero-names ; 
While in the halls of Immortality, 
Encircled by the buds of hope's sweet crown, 
Illumined by a smile from Mercy's lips, 
And fanned by breezes from the peaceful clime. 
They dream of walks by life's eternal spring, 
Of glory's march and triumph ne'er to end. 



19 



LOVE AND WEDLOCK. 

Sweet Olive, unto thee this morning hour 
I yield with pleasure rapturous and deep ; 
While feels so thrillingiy my heart the power 
Of strong afiections which refuse to sleep. 

My soul is full of purest love to thee, 

As is the evening sky with rosy light ; 

Or as the Muse's bowers with minstrelsy ; 

Or childhood's breast, at play-hour, with delight. 

Come from the deeps, then, of my heart, my thoughts. 
Laden with passion, as the bees with sweets, 
Which from the flowery, perfumed vales are brought ; 
Come, feelings fresh, this lovely theme to greet. 

Olive, to thee this day-dream doth belong ; 
This hour with its warm impulse, I devote. 
Like a pure sacrifice of light and song 
To her whose memories sweetly o'er me float. 

Come to the pine-wood grove, or to the shade 
The young oaks fling beside the murmuring streams : 
Come, and tho' dark be found the enwreathed glade, 
Thy presence shall there shed enrapturing beams. 



LOVE AND WEDLOCK. 291 



For thee I yearn intensely, as the orb 
Of " negative " lightning courts the " positive " fire ; 
Far drawing towards its burning heart t' absorb 
Its flash in union of deep, rapt desire. 

Love, thou gentle visitant from heaven, 
Spirit irradiate with transcendant joy ; 
Instinct and breathing with the soft might given 
To holiest things and loveliest, that ne'er cloy ! 

fairest Love, descend ; for, sure, thou art 
No stranger on the earth, nor e'en a guest 
Unknown or welcomeless in my own heart ; 
There hast thou known serene tho' raptured rest. 

Come, sweetest spirit, lift our thoughts on high 
To the pure realm where love eternal flows ; 
And to the scene where souls enamored sigh 
Into each other's depths their holy glows. 

Unveil to our entranced eyes the home 

Of sweet connubial fondness, where thy breath 

Suffuses each with joy divine, whence roam 

No more the yearning thoughts ; engaged till death. 

blessed dream ! nay, truth of real hue, 
Fond, wedded love ! all loveliest hopes and thoughts, 
Sweet breaths of delicate passions, and the dew 
Of the young heart's fresh life have sought 



292 LOVE AND WEDLOCK. 

Thy bower of bliss excelling, and there blent 
Their influences, as the odors of Spring flowers 
Meet in the soft, aflfectionate air, upsent 
To wed the spirit of song in its bright bowers. 

Fair Olive, in that haunt of blended love, 
Beneath its twining branches may our hearts, 
In memory fond of goodness from above. 
In the sweet calm of peace dwell till death parts. 

The Church's wedlock unto Him who died 
With holy blood to sanctify the soul, 
May this as typified in marriage, bride 
Elect and loveliest, sway with high control ! 

Like some blest isle where pure and softest airs 
Kiss waters mantling in celestial blue, 
While every grove is sweet with flowers rare 
In fragrance and in grace, is wedlock true. 

Such is the fond, sequestered peace 
Embosomed in the restless tides of life ; 
'Tis like some witching song that doth not cease 
Its passionate flow harmonious 'mid the strife 

Of winds without the peaceful cot, which rage. 
Wrestling with forest-giants, tossing high 
The foam, and yet defacing not one page 
Of the sweet book of song and bliss so nigh. 



MUSINGS AT EVENING HOURS. 

EELATIVE TO THE DEPAKTED. 

Spirit ! what art thou, that within me wakes. 
Rousing my soul, as winds the grove asleep ; 
Or as the breath of star-lit heaven which breaks 
The enchanted slumbers of the lake's blue deep. 

where thy home ; in what delightful clime ? 
Enrapturing inspirer, whence art thou ? 
Thou whisperest of what is great, sublime, — 
Of things as lovely as Spring's blossomy bough. 

" Spirit of poetry !" thy name I speak, 

Thy home and haunts are wide as earth's domain ; 

Thou hast thy dwelling on the snowy peak, 

In summery vale, on wooded mount and plain. 

Where beauty brightens and where music breathes : 
In the deep voices of the winds and waves ; 
Where life and splendor meet ; where friendship weaves 
And love their garlands for tear-hallowed graves. 

There is thy presence felt, thy light is thrown ; 
Yes ! where the gloom of sorrow darkly broods. 



294 MUSINGS AT EVENING HOURS. 

Where hope doth languish, there thy power is known ; 
With blest Religion cheering saddest moods. 

muse of song ! sweet are thy breathing charms ; 
Thy fragrant flowers from Thoughts' enchanting fields 
Win with exquisite spells the heart ; alarms 
And griefs subside : such power thy spirit wields. 

Come, 'mid Death's sylvan haunts at soft night-fall, 
Wake images of splendor, thoughts of might ; 
With silvery beauty broider o'er the pall ; 
With blaze of oil perfum'd the dark tomb light. 

Show how Imagination wakes from sleep 
The loved and lost, and with etherial forms 
Clothes them anew ; thus cheering those who weep 
As by soft sunbeams after sombre storms. 

The vision ope unto the darkened eyes 
Of Love's pure clime of light and bliss divine ; 
Bid through the pearly gates of Paradise 
A joy enkindling radiance soft to shine. 

The future's curtain drawing, grant the soul 
A prospect of the immortal triumph high ; 
On its dull ear cause from afar to roll 
An unspent wave of heavenly harmony. 

Waked by thy touch, we see the loved at rest 
Bursting the grave's imprisonment, as flowers 



MUSINGS AT EVENING HOUES. 295 

The seal which Winter's icy hand impressed, 
Gifted like them with hale, fresh bloom and powers. 

From mortal stain and sorrow laved, refined, 
As every thought from grossness which has pass'd 
Thro' the bright, burning heaven of the mind 
Of some grand, sacred bard of purest cast : 

So to our vision seems she ; so she is ; 
And we still love with tender, holy love ; 
And cast a wreath of poesy in this 
Our offering at the grave of her above. 

As beauty softened by the veil's thin guise ; 
As tapers brighten'd by eve's deep'ning shade ; 
So thro' the veil and twilight of death's skies 
The spirit's image fairer seems portrayed. 

Buried, forgotten in sepulchral dust, 
Sink every memory of those we love. 
Save recollections sweet and fond and just ! 
And bright and soothing may they ever prove. 

Bird of th' entrancing hour ! that clearly pourest 
Melodious sorrow from thy trembling breast ; 
Thy strain, voiced now ere to thy nest thou soarest, 
Shall be as my lament for her at rest ; 

Thine be the fitting music for my song ; 

And thine, fair orb on high, the honoring light 



296 MUSINGS AT EVENING HOUKS. 

Which, silvering the marble, will burn long, 
To give at death's sad shrine an offering bright. 

Thus honors of an offering I'd confer ; 

And worthy is the oblation Nature gives 

In beauty, light and music unto her 

Who loved the Source of all and with Him lives. 

Almighty Father ! from thy bow-spann'd throne 
Dart down one precious ray of life divine : 
In patience, hope and love may we, tho' lone, 
Most thankfully thro' life continue thine. 



HYMN TO THE SAVIOR. 

Savior, we dedicate to Thee 

This evening-hour of toil's repose : 

With gush of sacred minstrelsy 

We flood the day-light's purple close. 

As seeks the bird at twilight's hour 
Her well-loved and her sheltered nest ; 
So, to thy throne of love and power 
Our thoughts are fondly now addrest. 



HYMN TO THE SAVIOR. 297 

* 



Thither they float, as to their home ; 
With gratitude's full song they rise ; 
Perfumed with incense may they come, — 
The incense of thy sacrifice. 

As at the close of Summer's day, 
The hot earth thirsteth for the dew ; 
So yearn our spirits while we pray 
That thy rich grace may them imbue. 

In mercy's pure tho' crimsoned fount, 
Our souls, Deliverer, purify ; 
From that sweet laving may they mount 
On wings of love and hope on high. 

As fade day's scenes upon the eye ; 
And slumbers now the weary flower ; 
So may the world's attractions lie 
Shadowed and slumbering, at this hour. 



THE CHURCH. 



Amid the fearful wild, a temple stands 

Chiseled in beauty in the solid rock, 

Cut from its mountain grandeur ; haunt secure 

As sacred, save to those assailed by bolts 

Of Heaven's most just omnipotent decrees, 

Scathing and dread as is the lightning's flash. 

In grace and grand security of strength 

An emblem of the Holy Church is seen 

In that e'er during fane. But silence there 

Broods with an awful spell, while voiceful throngs 

Wake the deep, glad harmonies within the walls 

Of the Church's shrine of strength ; and there. 

Broods not, as in Petrea's lonely fane. 

The bird of gloomy omen, but the holy dove. 

Wafting by her pure wings the delicate wind 

Of spiritual influence, and of sacred peace 

The blest refreshment to the heart that loves. 

In this " munition of the rocks," by faith and love. 

May our security, Lord, be fixed, 

Safe thro' all storms until thy coming grand 

Upon the sacred citadel shall pour 

The splendors of thy festal day of power ! 

Bouyed up by courage, in faith's atmosphere, 



THE CHURCH. 299 



Thick gather flocks unto the spiritual Ark, 

As birds on fearless, hopeful wing of old 

Flew to the floating home and temple 

Of pious Noah. On the mount of God 

That mystic ark shall rest ; and there 
The rescued ones, alighting, shall 

With grateful wreaths, beneath the olive's shade, 

Their new-raised altar, in triumphant bliss. 

With ceremonial lofty consecrate 

Unto the Power Supreme that guides and saves. 

Mark well the ancient bulwarks which support 

In noble dignity God's holy Church : 

Her courts of beauty note, the niches rich 

Adorned with memories of her glorious saints ; 

The golden lightnings of the Law, and hues 

Mellow and tender of the Gospel's truth 

Streaming, like floods of roseate splendor thro' 

The rich-dyed, glassy blazonry of Gothic lights. 

Here " power and beauty " dwell ; here, then, 

The fire and incense of your love and praise 

And throbbing, tear-bedewed prayer command 

Unto the Builder of the fane to rise. 



TWILIGHT THOUGHTS OF SORROW. 

Thou star that 'midst the deepening purple sinks 
Of the dim Western sky, thy latest gleams 
Fading like Autumn's flushes on the leaf 
Which Winter whirls and darkens ; in thy last 
And dying sparkles, quenched amid the cold 
And prodigal tears of Eve, I see a sad 
And eloquent remembrancer. gentle breath, 
That, sweet with ravishment of fading flowers, 
On some late Autumn night expires and fills 
The sorrowful trees with a soft sigh as sad 
As love's regret, — gentle wind, a dream 
Of sorrow and a thought of grief the sigh 
And trembling of thy presence wakes. 

Fair stream, 
Child of the pure, enamoring haunts 
Of Nature (great in mastery o'er the heart,) 
That to the bosom of the ocean flows, 
Burying thy currents in its boundless deeps. 
Or which in desert sands thy bright tide wastes,- 
I gaze on thy departing waves and drink 
The light and music of thy wavelet's play. 
And dream of life's last streams that flowed, 
The heart suffusing with love's delicate bliss, 



TWILIGHT THOUGHTS OP SOEROW. 301 



Now in death's thirsty and oblivious sands 

Sunken and gone. In yonder Oakland scene 

Peopled with silent dwellers, 'neath the arms 

Extending of a youthful tree, there lies 

A form late warming with life's mystic glows. 

Its sacred fire Heaven has withdrawn ; the fruit 

Blushing and bright with living charms and powers 

That Heaven alone could give, the shadowy hand 

(Commissioned by the Throne of Light supreme) 

Has plucked ; and sowing for a certain growth, 

Immortal and all-glorious, low has hid 

In earth (now hallowed) all of what we mourn : 

And yet not all : whom faith's celestial light 

And meek-eyed homage and a patient love 

Have consecrated and the mystic breath 

Of the Great " Comforter " has dwelt in, 

Never dies, but lives securely blest, embraced 

In God's most loving guardianship, as lie 

Safe, undisturb'd, beyond th' adventurous hope, 

(Tho' less secure than they in their repose) 

Jewels of gold and gems in mines profound 

In Nature's adamantine treasury locked, 

Unvisited of sight, beneath the base 

Of mightiest hills ; or as the stars 

Dwell far above all change or blight, 

Or ravage of terrestrial storms, enthroned 

In the inviolable shrine of azure heaven 

Vast as its Author's love. 



302 TWILIGHT THOUGHTS OF SORROW. 

Sighs, sighs for thee 
Who slumberest in yon grave ! esteem's fond sighs 
From many a breast has risen : Affection pure 
Stili follows thee ; and fired with courage strong, 
Borrowing the wings of faith, invades the realms 
Awful and shadowy of the soul's repose 
Where Love Divine unslumbering watch preserves 
O'er all the loved and ransomed of all time, 
Counting with eagerness the loitering hours 
Which yet must pass ere Death shall be despoil'd. 
Sighs, sighs for thee ! And yet the husbandman. 
Sowing in earth his fairest, precious grain, 
Laments not at the thought of loss, but sees 
The future brightening with the harvest's pomp. 
Feeding his mind with hope's delightful dream : 
So may the mourners for the loved of Christ 
Be taught of him to sorrow with fair dreams 
Of His great harvest-home and fadeless bliss. 
In a new lamp for Heaven's high temple made 
Life's quenchless beam with glory fresh shall burn. 
Sleep quietly ; loved one, rest ! while we 
Treasure the memories of thy radiant youth 
And womanhood so full of life and bright 
With cultured thought's enchantment and so warm 
With natural affection, and long stamped 
With Christian faith and piety sincere. 
As in the ashes long the fire doth glow ; 
As sweetness from the lifeless rose exhales ; 
And falling stars a bright track leave behind, 



TWILIGHT THOUGHTS OP SOEEOW. 303 

A luminous wake in heaven's cerulean sea, 
So now live memories fair and loved of thee. 

Tremble and sink amid the West, fair orb, 

Departing herald of Night's dark-veiled train ! 

Let the dull sands thy beauty bright absorb, 

blue and glimmering stream, which towards the main 

Wast journeying on : soft 'mid the trees expire 

The breeze which bore like bees intoxicate 

The sweetness of the flowers ; if yet the fire 

Of love, the holy and the true, doth mate 

With our own spirit in the cells of thought 

Sacred from eyes without : if yet a dream 

Of one whose smiles and hopes were blent with ours. 

Born 'mid fond memories and by yearnings brought 

To life and power, life-deep, shall shed its gleam 

To cheer and warm ; if yet the hallow'd breath 

Of love and hope shall triumph over death ; 

If fair remembrances serene and blest 

Shall flow upon the soul until its rest. 



CREATION. 



Ye mountains, coned with dazzling snows, and strong 

In rude, majestic towers and walls of rock, 

Whence firs and pines hang o'er the dizzy deep, 

Trailing their clambering vines in grace ; superb 

In beauty and in grandeur soars aloft 

Of your magnificence the image bright. 

Ye stars, that glitter o'er the icy brows 

Of those sky-piercing hills ; with characters 

Of rich and golden import made t' illume 

The azure drapery of Nature's halls, — ye stars 

Blaze down upon us with delightful charms, 

The heart enkindling with romantic joy. 

With soft allurement through the embowered dell 

The frolic stream glides silently along, 

Shedding from out its blue and glimmering glass 

Enchantment as from sparkling streams of song. 

Fair are the meadows softly waving, whilst 

Careers the breeze above ; and fair the flowers 

Which nod beside the stream, and glass their grace 

Within its smoothly-flowing tide, as images 

Sparkling amid the poet's liquid verse. 

Majestical and glorious is the expanse ^ 

Of ocean, theatre of grand events 



CEEATION. 305 



In the dread wars of nature or of men ; 

At times, the image of the glassy pave 

Sparkling with golden fires before the throne 

Of the Eternal One ; at times aroused, 

Vexed by the furious and impatient storms, 

Or blazing fitfully with the deep-red lights 

Of battle's jubilee so wild and dread ; 

An emblem of the fiery-vaulted realm 

Of the archangel fall'n, where leprous Sin 

Is tossed by surges of remorse and woe. 

Towering and beautiful the forest trees, 

Nature's great standing army, waving high 

Their leafy banners of resplendent green, 

And guarding well the harvests 'gainst the storm 

With which they battle, — beautiful are these. 

But yet than these more wonderful and fair 

In beauty's fine, enamoring grace were they 

Who moved with stately port and mien divine 

Amid that loveliness and pomp. In them 

Grandeur and gracefulness, the charms and bloom 

Of skies, and rivers, trees and flowers 

Were blent and with the lustre of the soul 

Suffused and brightened ; as when some rich fane, 

To which all nature has its tributes given. 

Is lit and hallowed by the presence dread 

Of that high deity for whom 'twas framed, 

Descended with the blaze of mystic fire. 



20 



LINES IN MEMORY OF MISS LUCY M. LUFF. 

Laughing and bright as brooks of summer showers ; 

Like them, how brief thy race ! or as the flowers 

Soon vanishing, that we with beauty filled 

May not be gorged, like bees with sweets distilled : 

Or like the meteor whose bright, frolic course 

The enchanted eye scarce kindles, ere the loss 

Of the celestial pilgrim we lament ; 

So from earth's scenes, our loved companion went. 

In fair and fragrant gardens, (lovely page 

Where nature writes pure thoughts from age to age,) 

There, with a fine enthusiasm filled, 

The wasting energies of life she spilled ; — 

Sending the ardent, rapturous mind to roam 

In poetry's elysium made her home ; 

In Beauty's world of matter and of mind, 

'Twas thine to dwell and joy etherial find. 

Farewell ! tho' sad the word : unto thy God 

Thy soul we yield, thy body to the sod. 

In heaven we'll meet thee, friend devout, sincere ; 

Earth's joys eclipsed thro' all its endless year. 

The radiant beam which on yon pool descends, — 

That dark, still deep, — to heaven again ascends : 

The myriad drops which in the ocean blend, 

Called by the sun, the sea aloft shall send ; 

There, in the free and luminous air they'll roam : 

As chainless thou, when God shall bid thee come. 



THE WHITE LAKE CREEK— A SKETCH. 

How lone and beautiful this place ! Here flow 

The White Lake's waters, forcing midst the rocks 

Their foamy pathway. High o'erhead, the trees 

Of this wild forest-track branch wide around, 

Forming vast, vaulted chambers, wrapt in shade 

Cool and delicious. Down the varying stream, 

Tempting the trout from his cold haunts, 

We pass ; but not with eye unmindful now. 

Nature, of thy wild beauty, we reneAv 

Our wanderings along this lonely creek. 

The laurels tangled on the banks forbid 

The sportsman's steps upon the shore ; nor, now 

That June's rejoicing sun is reigning high, 

Need he regret his steps must be along 

The pebbly channels of the cooling stream. 

Or if we rest upon some open bank, 

Still cooling visions shall delight us : rocks 

Dripping with foam, and beautiful with moss ; 

The shadowy haunt, above, of orioles ; 

The glassy cave of yon old trout, who scorns 

Our fly and squirming bait, but darts like thought 

At every luckless miller fluttering by. 

With startling and exciting splash, — 

These shall our thoughts beguile. 



308 THE WHITE LAKE CREEK. 

And we will dream 
Of icy drinks that float the fragrant rind 
Of the golden lemon ; visions shall delight 
Of water-falls by sun-bows canopied. 
The fine spray flying in the restless breeze ; 
Of couches spread in small craft on the lake, 
The air around with music sweet — with breath 
Of distant hay-fields and the fragrant meads : 
We'll dream of caverns in the lonely wild, 
The dim light glistening from the crystalled walls, 
And o'er the Stygian waters, cold as snow, 
That wash the statues rude, in rock, of men 
Whose battle-axes, of the flint-stone cut, 
Clashed in the conflict centuries ago. 
Such cooling dreams shall charm us, till again 
We tempt the timid dwellers in the stream ; 
And the day grows rich as night steals on, like hopes 
More brightly blooming near Death's sable hour. 
Thou with the free and beautiful Mongaup 
Wilt blend thy waters, lonely " White Lake Creek," 
As though some pensive genius, lone and strange, 
Were wedded to some maid of open face, 
And fresh, fair beauty, after sorrowing years. 

lonely, wild, romantic stream ! with thee, 
And with the regions where thy waters gleam. 
There are blithe memories woven : of fair youths, 
Sunny and glad and winning ; as with rocks 
And lonely Clio's upon the ocean shore, 
Majestical and rude, in Memory's glass 



THE WHITE LAKE CREEK. 309 

Are blent the images of lovely vines, 

And soft, young blossoms, and the tinted moss. 

Not thus, like thine, lonely stream ! 

Be my life's destinies — through gloomy scenes, 

Perplexed and in deep solitude. 

Let the soft light of true romance, indeed, 

Be flowing 'round my course ; but freer beams 

Of heavenly sunshine be my constant lot, 

With faith and hope and joy enkindling me. 



THE DIVINE BENIGNITY. 

Yea, might and majesty reside 
At thy dread seat. Eternal One ! 
Yet doth not gentleness and love 
Breathe from thy angel-circled throne ? 
Who took sweet childhood in his arms, 
And on its glossy ringlets poured 
With a soft, gliding pressure of his palms 
Unearthly blessedness from God ? 
Pray, who at His divine command 
Bade human sorrow fly, 
Wheree'er, amid his wondering throng. 
Grief stood with tear-dimmed eye. 
And wherefore from your horrid bed 
Spring up, ye ghastly -featured dead 1 



310 THE DIVINE BENIGNITY 

" Immanuel calls, we live ! we spring ; 

And Health shines o'er us, with her wing 

In healing rife, — her joys we sing ; 

For, ne'er before hath gladness leapt 

So like a current, thro' our frames, 

And ne'er within our cheeks have slept 

So beautiful the rosy flames." 

And mark how in St. John's sweet book 

What gentleness Messiah blends 

With dignity's high grace ; 

And makes us dream we see portrayed 

The mildness of his face : 

Then may the shepherd-boys breathe on 

Thro' their soft flutes the fearless tone 

When their tuned voicings grow sublime 

With mention of the Eternal One. 

And you who glide o'er moonlit lakes 

In your blithe music-freighted boats. 

Why ceaseth on your lips the smile 

That curls them, when the star which floats 

In Western purple calls your thoughts 

Up to the Power who bade it shine ? 

Smile on ; for. Love indulgent sought 

Your pleasure with His works divine j 

And Evening's cool and lucid airs, — 

And Morning's dew-bespangled sight, — 

With meek-eyed birds in loving pairs 

Drunk with the extasy of light, — 

All utter forth a Heaven benign 

Who willed that Nature's joy be thine. 



TO ONE BETROTHED. 



(an acrostic.) 



Sweeter than lips of opening buds is she, 

(All winds of heaven breathe perfume 'round her path 

Richer than roses yield !) who vows in heart 

All blameless in the hymeneal bonds 

Her soul to keep. " Now gentlest love, strong, deep," 

She saith, " Shall prompt life's pulses : 

In confiding mood and mild long sufferance, 

Liveliest sympathies, (like chains of gold 

Linking with jewelled bonds the mated hearts ;) 

Ready each error to forgive ; resolved 

On every frailty with indulgent eye 

Mildly, as bound, to glance, — I'll pass life's hours. 

Each thus with love and sacred sweetness charged, 

Never shall fail with its melodious wings, 

Years thro', fond blessings on my soul to waft. 



LOVE AND STUDY. 



" "Were it not better done, as other use, 

To sport with Amarylis in the shade. 

Or with the tangles of Neseras' hair." — Milton. 



FIRST VOICK. 

How glorious is the hour of studious thought : 

The mysteries of wisdom ; life, and death ; 

Health's buoyant pulses, and the fitful throbs 

Of dull disease ; the laws of grace. 

Of beauty, motion, and the mystic rules 

Which guide the planets onward ; these, and such 

In dignity as these, the deep mind fill 

With themes exalted and exalting, when 

Philosophy's high hour commands our thoughts. 

SECOND VOICE. 

0, sweeter far is the sacred time of love ! 
Then the deep soul springs to the eyes and lips, 
And blends its mystic lightnings with the dawn 
Of pure afi"ection in sweet woman's heart. 
Then, tender thoughts make eloquent the lips, 
Quickening and passionate. Celestial light 
From the eyes, by glad, expressive light 
Is answered back ; her pictured tissue bright 



LOYEANDSTUDY. 3 13 

Hope weaves with cunningest power ; yea, dreams 

Of delicate pleasure glow into the forms 

Of rapturous reality ; to substance ripe 

The shadows brighten. Thus, the matchless fount 

Of earthly happiness is love. 

FIRST VOICK. 

The spring 
Pure and unfailing of a joy divine 
An earthly love can ne'er unseal. 

Of bliss, 
That source most pure, our admiration claims, 
From which the live, unfaltering current flows. 
Love's pleasant triumphs fade and die ; when fail 
Th' enthralling charms of beauty ; when the rose 
Laments its fading glory on the cheek 
And lip, once ripe and crimson : When, at length, 
The warm susceptibilities grow cold ; 
And the ardors of young passion die ; and gold. 
Or fame, and power their glittering idols rear ; 
Faint in the breast the shade of former joys 
Flits dyingly : But quest ot those fine truths 
Which God expresses in great nature's face 
Exalting light administers, and joy 
As deathless as 'tis pure. 

SECOND VOICE. 

*' They sin who tell us love can die ;" the stars 
As soon can perish, when its pure, blest fire, 



314 LOVE AND STUDY. 

Kindlad by virtue and by mind, deep burns 
In the true soul and wise. The matchless charms 
Of thoughts refined, (the sunbeams of the soul,) 
Of modesty, sweet piety and truth command 
Affection's holy altar e'er to glow ; and breathe 
Undying vigor to Love's delicate flowers. 
But to our scrutiny, dim nature grants. 
Oft, but the tantalizing glimpse ; and thought, 
Wearied and baflled, mourns its wasted strength 
And bright hours sacrificed in vain ; and burns 
To lay its temples where Love's tresses stream, 
Breathing ambrosial sweetness, and the air 
Of pure, entrancing joy. 

When Heaven vouchsafes 
Its blessing (richer than the morning light,) 
To ardors and attachments just and wise, — 
Guiltless of all idolatry — no breath 
That stirs the air of life knows more 
Of quick, sweet happiness than Love's ; 
Except that grace the highest Power all blest 
Sheds o'er the thirsting hearts of penitent men. 



THE RURAL BURIAL-GROUND. 



The solemn bell calls to the grove-hid church ; 
It is the voice of death, his warning note ; 
And clusters, with a slow and pensive gait, 
Are gathering at the porch. Let us delay- 
Here by this tomb, moss-groWn from tears of Heaven, 
That mourns the loveliest face its beams e'er saw. 
Till the sad bier and priest at church-door meet. 
And his full voice the sentences pronounce. 
Shall I grow eloquent with praise of worth 
That sleeps beneath this stone ? Shall I rehearse 
The kindness and sweet graces of her deeds. 
And build anew in memory's shadowy air 
Her soft and saintly loveliness of form ? 
True spake the surpliced priest, " Dust unto dust 
And earth to earth resigned ;" yet we, I trust, 
Without an impious murmur, may call back 
Time's melancholy flight ; and in her home 
Command the vacant air to beauteous shapes 
Till her sweet smile shall bloom on us once more. 
Did she not trip with blithesome feet the fields 
When noon-day bade the mowers to their shade ; 
Or, gathering in spring the stainless blood 
The maple's wounded veins did yield ? I see 



316 THE RURAL BURIAL-GROUND. 



In the bright past her frolic face, and hear 
A voice like hers in vine-hung dells ring forth. 
When evening sports amused the fire-side throng. 
No laugh than hers was merrier, and no lip 
A lovelier prize in all the ruby group. 
The poor beheld with gratitude her feet 
Approaching, and their spirits warmed 
By her good presents, and the pleasantness 
Of her young, beauteous face. The spring 
Beheld her blushing at a lover's kiss ; 
And when the summer reigned in soft blue skies. 
She on his shoulder leaned, and heard with tears 
The whispering of his vows. Ah ! love, I ween, 
Is mightier in its thrall to bind the heart 
Unto its life, than aught of all we know ; 
Yet, in the autumn-time, they laid her down 
Beneath the tearful grass. The conscious earth 
Clasped her sweet body with a mother's love, 
In wonder that her dark and formless womb 
So beautiful a shape had borne. 

But, hark ! 
The sad, low notes, float from the organ's swell : 
Let us at once unto the church repair. 
And list the choir a solemn requiem chant. 
The last sweet tribute to the dead, that steals 
Into the mourner's breast, and there doth mix 
Music's soft, calm elation with his grief. 
Now hear the reasonings grand St. Paul doth urge, 
To prove this grade doth lead a nobler still, 



THE EUEAL BURIAL-GROUND. 317 

Where mortals immortality assume, 

As glory hath her steps, from earth to moon, 

And from the pallid moon to glorious suns. 

God ! in this heavenly hope let us repose. 

When sad eyes damp the pillow of our death. 

And on our pale and trembling lips we feel 

The sweet last kiss mortality can know ! 

But now the mourners round the grave convene, 

And " dust to dust " drops from the sexton's hand ; 

The choir once more the pleading prayers do chant ; 

The white-robed priest his suppliant palm uprears. 

Sleep quiet, gentle soul ! for none than thou 

More gently led the dove-like hours away. 

But there is one who o'er this scene hath pour'd 

The tenderest soul of melancholy ; here now breathes 

The very poetry of sadness ; and the night. 

The lone, sweet, solemn night, can testify 

ilis ofierings at the cypress-shrine of grief, 

How frequent and how tearful ! And ye birds 

That people April's blossomy bowers at eve. 

Nursing your fluttering dreams 'neath wings of down, 

Can tell how oft the sad heart-gushes broke 

The hush of your dim slumbers. I have seen 

Often, at dusk, the lover's form steal by 

Yon brook that glitters 'neath that voiceful grove, 

Towards this her grave ; these rose-trees, pinks, and vines 

Of bright immortal green, he planted here ; 

His tears have watered them, and hence they say 

They thrive, but blossom never. Nature here. 



318 THE RURAL BURIAL-GROUND. 

In spot so consecrated, checks her smile ; 

Yet in the radiant blush of dawn, one day, 

A fair, blue myrtle-blossom I surprised ;* 

A single drop was in it ; did it fall 

From the dark fringes of thy pensive eyes, 

melancholy night ? or was it wept 

From lids of human sadness ? One bland eve. 

When the sweet, songless air stole softly on. 

As love's first wakenings, or the odorous breath 
Of innocency, lost 'mid halcyon dreams, 

The gentleness of nature wooed him here. 

Till midnight's awful tollings in yon tower 

Startled the belfry doves. Beside her grave 

Entranced he lay ; when, like the stately flush 

Of a " northern dawn," up-rushing in the heavens, 

And building glorious cities in the sky, 

A grand mausoleum rose before his eyes. 

Magnificence was thron'd upon its roof. 

Shining with pinnacles, and towers, and domes ! 

Strange figures from the speechless marble charmed 

By art's resistless power, were twined around 

About its battlements and lofty towers ; 

Without, in niches, 'mid the enchanting blaze 

Of sculptured richness, stood the forms of seers. 

Great sages, patriarchs, and kings. Within, 

No prince or knight with clasped hands was seen 

Asleep in old barbaric stone : no tomb. 

Proud of the dust of majest}^, and wrought 

* The periwinkle is sometimes called the myrtle, I believe. 



TBfE RURAL BURIAL-GROUND. 319 

With the bright signs of royalty and fame, 

There met the eye ! but one there gleamed aloft ; 

With angel forms 'twas sculptured, and the cross 

Was sparkling on its summit high. A sun 

Was pictured rising from an ocean dim, 

And soaring nobly through the affrighted clouds, 

To joyous triumph in eternal day. 

Upon the tablet graved with gold he read 

The name of her he loved ! while in the air 

A form etherial beamed with soft, faint lines. 

And whispered, " This mausoleum grand, and this 

The tomb it guards and honors, symbolize 

The heavenly love and honor that surrounds 

The Christian's dying couch and the still sod 

He consecrates in death. Though friendless, lone, 

In his simplicity unknown, yet God, 

If love and gentleness have sweetly dyed 

The slender threads of life, shall bid him stand 

Beside His jeweled throne, and on his name 

Shall breathe the glories of a quenchless fame. 

Like shining exhalations o'er the fens 

Still hot and seething thro' Night's dewy hours. 

This fair and luminous vision here arose 

From his excited brain ; with image strange 

Forth shadowing immortal, glorious truths 

That overflow with consolations rich. 



THE WATERY WORLD. 



With awe and wonder may I well approach 

This mighty world in Nature, this great realm 

Which glares its sceptre, a bright shaft of ice, 

Both on th' Antarctic zone, the lone and bleak. 

And on the Arctic hills ; which there uprears 

In the soft flush of Winter's streaming sky 

Its palaces of ice. The tropics, too 

Are girt with its bright fullness ; East and West 

The pulses of its mighty empire beat : 

On India's and on China's shores its powers 

Can hold their dazzling revelry. The inland hills,- 

Its glittering armies sweep their steep defiles, 

And sparkle on the plains below, that own 

The green, voluptuous triumph of its power ; 

For, stately groves with fuller beauty shoot 

Their arching boughs above the stream, and strain 

The sun's fierce splendors to a gentle light. 

How richly on the banks, where rushes wave, 

Nods the lobelia's crimson crest ! It seems 

To recognize the grateful gift that steeps 

The mould around its roots, and grants the sun 

A blush more brilliant to demand. 



THE WATERY WORLD. 321 

And man, — 
How like the wilted flower lie sinks, if this 
The pure, bright gift of love but fails his lips ! 
Prone on the scorching sand he lies, his brain 
Whirled with wild fever, or, perchance, insane, 
And thronged with maddening fears and sights ; 
Loud toward the source of heat he, writhing, flings 
A fierce, delirious curse, and now he deems 
The scorching blasts from Hell's red climes invest 
His panic-struck and withering soul, till dews. 
Shed from the bland and pitying lids of Eve, 
Refresh his heated brow ; or 'till the hands 
Of Love, the tearful, tender and the true. 
Stroke with cool, moistened palms the home of thought, 
Soothing its feverish strife. 

On sun-burnt plains, 
Far delving in the sunless depth of Earth, 
Man the bright cordial seeks ; the rocky bar 
About the secret paths of ceaseless streams, 
He with explosive thunderbolts disturbs. 
Hailing with joy the clear blood of its veins. 

And when amid the crowded city's piles, 
The pillared thrones of commerce, art and power, 
The wild, high-tide of flame is billowing vast 
In dread magnificence ; and sweeping quick 
To one black, ashy tomb vast glittering spoils. 
What joy plays bright within his anxious eye 
To see the watery columns pouring forth 
21 



322 THE WATERY WORLD. 

To battle with the red artillery 

And check the tyrant's rage : and then the blood 

To thousand blanched cheeks returns ; and dreams 

Of poverty and blackened wrecks flit off 

And leave the decorated shrine of home 

Lit with the same contented smile of peace. 

Hark ! from afar what heavy rumblings sound ! 
The ground now trembles with the grand sub-bass. 
Is it the opening of Nature's hymn, 
The first deep breathings of her anthem grand, 
Whose chorus full shall shake the lofty skies ? 
Or speeds to battle some tremendous host. 
Ten thousand chariots rumbling o'er the plain, 
High martial valor pressing hotly on ; 
Or, sweep the buffaloes in frightened flight, 
Shaking the earth with their stupendous throngs, 
The fire-king with his swift and leaping sprites 
Close crackling in the impatient chase behind ? 
In thunder down his awful chasm, list 
Niagara's phrenzied and abandoned plunge ! 
The very fowls that sport upon the stream, 
Bound by a spell of dread, or helpless whirled 
In dizzying swiftness, sink amid the foam, 
And lifeless drift upon the rocks below : 
And woman in her loveliness and bloom, 
Faint with the oppressive sense of awful power, 
Has fallen, shrouded in the dazzling sj)ray, 
And buried 'mid the foaming gulf beneath : 
So falls from Evening's brow a glittering gem, 



THE WATERY WORLD. 323 

Its beauty burying in some gloomy cloud ; 
So, oft, a fancy rich and bright in bloom 
Sinks into dark oblivion, swallowed \\-p, — 
Submerged 'mid thought's tumultuous rush, 
Unto the flowery realm of sentiment lost.* 

Nor there alone the watery world is stamped 

With majesty and terror ; childhood reads 

With its unstudious eye those awful traits 

Revealed on ocean's countenance when strive 

The infuriate winds on that arena grand. 

The emblems faint of power Divine, career 

Amid the engulfing seas that hide 

In their dark depths the loved, the missed, the mourn'd : 

There calmly sleep the beautiful and young, 

Their locks with the sea-vines wreathed, their brows 

Kissed by the gliding spirits of the waves. 

Thy deep and wandering currents know the spot 
Where lie on coral-beds the throng that dared 
To venture on the " President " above 
Thy magazines of fury. Thou dost glass 
The charming scene of peace, the moonlit group, 
With love and music and light laughter glad ; 
And, too, the shock of battling nations whilst 
The red and sulphurous tempest roars, more mad 
And deadlier than thy fiercest storms ; as when, 

* "Wild fowls, my impression is, have been found drowned, or, for some 
cause, lifeless, below the falls. A lady, who ventured under the column 
some years ago, fell into the abyss. 



324 THE WATEBY WOBLD. 

For Greece and jealousy, the triple powers 
Shivered the proud and sullen naval strength, 
O'er which the crescent shone : and when 
Don John and Doria in Lepanto's gulf 
For Christendom against the Turk unfurled 
Their signal banners high inviting war : 
And battle's fiery demon in his cloudy wings 
Their squadrons folded, shrouding in the flame 
The Sultan's valiant thousands, and defiled 
Their once proud standard, prostrate now, despised 
Upon the crimson seas. 

But nobler scenes 
Are glassed within thy breast magnificent. 
When floats the Bethel flag, and voices sweet, 
To Christian love in distant regions pledged, 
Disturb the stillness of the Sabbath air 
With songs and hallelujahs. 

What vast wealth. 
The spoils of commerce whelmed amid thy deeps. 
Lies in thy sunless caves ! the wreath that could 
Bid the bright cross shine every where and break 
The sable reign of superstition's shade. 
Death in thy caverns deep must hold his court 
Decked with the jewelry of thousands spoiled. 

Once more in fancy, ocean, I will gaze 
Upon thy grand expansion, ere I leave 
This theme of glory and of power ; but not 



THOUGHTS OF THE DEPARTING SAINT. 325 

In thy wild tempests rise before my mind ; 

But heaving gently 'neath the glimmering air 

(As falls and rises the peace-calmed breast 

Which the soft light and smile of grace have stilled,) 

And breathing thro' its boundless space the gifts 

Which it shall shower upon the thirsty fields. 

And so, methinks, the great and glorious e'er 

To acts of sweet and gentle charity 

Should condescend and thus their greatness prove. 



THOUGHTS OF THE DEPARTING SAINT. 



The gloom and anguish of life's fading powers 
Advance upon me and assault my heart ; 
Poor, trembling citadel ! which these sad hours 
Doth show unequal to its proper part. 

How dim the beauty of the world doth grow ! 

Upon its joys and charms now death doth feed j 

Its glories vanish, like the autumnal glow. 

Or Evening's lights that, night-chased, westering speed. 

But towards the seat of boundless power and love, 
As sparks and winged fires that seek the skies, 



3.26 THOUGHTS OF THE DEPARTING SAINT. 

My thoughts and hopes aspiring rise above 

The thickening cloud which o'er earth's interests lies. 

Thou, who all of human woe hast known ; 

Who through death's dark and chilling porch hast passed, 

Although unworthy that Thou me should'st own, 

I'll trust in Thee, Friend, faithful to the last ! 

Up boils from its mysterious depths my soul 
With grateful gushes of warm love and praise ; 
And prayer breathes forth with potent sweet control 
My fears to drown, my confidence to raise ; 

For, Thou respondest ; in my pardoned breast 
A holy calm, a heavenly peace doth reign ; 
With each new word of faith and love-deed blest 
Higher the tide of joy o'erflows my pain. 

As fountains in the sunbeams springing free. 
As melody's glad bursts that fill the sky. 
As eloquence from hearts on fire that be, 
So springs my spirit towards its home on high. 

Soon, soon with Thee, chief of martyrs crown'd ! 
My thirsty soul shall drink at life's pure stream ; 
The stains of sorrow as of sin be found 
All cleansed away in Thy rich glory's beam. 

Farewell, then, dreams of earthly hope ! farewell, 
Ye scenes of earth, and tearful friends, adieu ! 



TUXEDO LAKE. 327 

Life has no sorrow and no joy can swell 

The breast like those which do this hour imbue. 

But gladness triumphs ! like a Sabbath morn 
Of Eden's dawn-hojirs rich with light and song, 
Victorious over night : new joys are born, 
And fair orbs welcome me, a radiant throng. 

Amid th' unebbing tides of interest high 
(Yet scarcely new,) my soul ascends to bathe, 
As an imprisoned bird that seeks the sky 
When free in its fresh, pearly light to lave. 



TUXEDO LAKE. 



A VISION UN ITS SHORES. 



Is this the realm of silence ? Are these rocks 
Th' unechoing haunts of solitude '? So near 
The populous and ever-sounding streets, 
That their deep, mighty anthem almost rolls 
Its farthest murmurings to these shores ; yet all 
Is with the grand, rude seal of Nature stamped, 
And hushed in breathlessness of deep repose. 
Upon the mountain-sides, beyond the sheet 



328 TUXEDO LAKE 



Of waveless loveliness before my eye, 
From 'mid the trees peeps out one lonely hut ; 
Perchance the axeman's, whose loud-sounding steel 
Alone the echoes woke, and scared the birds 
That stalked along the pebbly beach. No more 
The smoke curls from its roof ; but mountain-gusts, 
When crashing storms those summits darkly crown, 
Rattle its mossy doors, and play wild sports 
"With the oak-bucket near. How still the lake ! 
The fisher's rods bestrew the shore, but none 
Stray here to-day to tempt the spotted trout. 
Which holds in glassy caves his silent courts. 
The deepening dyes of purple, rich and bright, 
On the wild vines, with berries bowed, now win 
Of peasant boys and girls the steps. 

This hush. 
This beauteous trance of nature, seems t' invite 
The mind to meditative moods ; the air. 
Misty and shadowy of the land of dreams. 
Seems breathing on my brow ; bright earth, farewell ! 
The visionary world a sweet, low call 
Is whispering to my soul ; and sinking here. 
Beneath the pine's deep shade, I yield to dreams : 



List ! what soft, delicious music 
Floats upon the charmed air ; 

Blandly, as from beds of roses. 
Steal the gentle winds that bear 



TUXEDO LAKE. 329 



Their pure sacrifice of sweetness 
Slowly towards tke holy skies ; 

That rich burst from out the gardens 
Of the queen of visions flies. 

ni. 
There amid the brilliant poppies 

And, in crowds, somnific flowers, 
Couches woo to rest and slumber, 

Shadowed by enchanting bowers. 

IV, 

Soaring in the placid moonlight. 
Hushed like beauty in a dream, 

Lo ! the vision-queen's fair palace 
Flashes in the silvery beam. 



All who tread her holy chambers. 
To oblivion sweet dispose 

Every tinge of mortal sorrow. 
All their deep regrets and woes. 

VI. 

O'er her throne in golden lightnings 
Characters are written broad. 

Telling all who see their radiance 
That her power is willed of God : 



330 TUXEDO LAKE 



VII. 

Therefore in more blessed triumph 
Than the moon in starry skies, 

She at night serenely reigneth, 
And before her, sorrow flies. 

VIII. 

Lo ! into her curtained chambers 
One with sad and hollow cheek, 

Mourning his departed loved ones, 
Moving tremblingly and weak. 

IX. 

Charmed by soft and soothing music, 

He upon a couch reclines, 
Till the enchantment breathing o'er him 

On his brow smoothes sorrow's lines. 

X. 

Now he sees in life-like visions 
Beings that in darkness rest. 

Smiling like the bridal flowers 
On a maiden's plighted breast. 

XI. 

Lo ! another downcast stranger 
Entereth the twilight courts ; 

Sudden ruin hath despoiled him 

Of the wealth his hand hath wrought ! 



TUXEDO LAKE. 331 



XII. 

Poverty, with dingy sack-cloth. 
Wraps his home's defaced shrine ; 

But in dreams its pomp returneth, 
And the marble forms divine. 

XIII. 

Fountains, spouting in the gardens, 

Temper the perfumed air ; 
And within, rich paintings gleaming, 

Highest admiration share. 

XIV. 

See ! another entering seemeth 
Pierced with sorrow's poisonous dart 

She to dreams of love and pleasure 
Had resigned her burning heart : 

XV. 

But the hallowed fires were darkened 
Which she lit in blissful youth ; 

And the trampled embers flickered 
Where was once affection's truth. 

XVI. 

But again in cheating visions 

Hope breaks forth like stars above, 

And one, pure and noble-hearted, 
Folds her in the arms of love ! 



332 TUXEDO LAKE. 

XVII. 

Sweetly sleep, slighted maiden ! 

Let thy buoyant heart dissolve 
In the golden dream of rapture, 

While the sunless hours revolve. 

XVIII. 

Thou shalt waken on the morrow 
With the smile upon thy lip ; 

Then to feel th' entrancing pleasure 
From thy fond embraces slip. 

XIX. 

Thus hath God in love ordained 
That the night with winning smile, 

Breathing dew on feverish foreheads, 
Should the mourning soul beguile. 

XX. 

Sleep ! it is a blessed spirit, 
Reigning by His pleasure high, 

On the stir of mortal anguish 
Shedding calmness from the sky. 



THE CATHEDRAL SERVICE-HIGH MASS. 

FIRST VOICE. 

How solemn and how beautiful this spot ! 

How soars the pictur'd roof ! the columns see ! 

Marble, and sculptur'd with rich forms grotesque ; 

And holy shapes of grave and thoughtful mien 

Stand in enduring stone, in niches wrought 

With traceries beauteous, o'er which the glow 

Of sacrificial lamps so softly streams. 

This spot, where through stain'd windows shines the sun 

With splendors mellower than his setting ray, 

And hues as finely varied, seems the shrine 

Of majesty and beauty. Here confess 

The gorgeous gate of heaven, — its porch divine. 

SECOKD VOICE. 

The painted roof, the pictured glass ; the shrine 
Of ancient Saints, with incense, and with light 
Of never-dying tapers honor'd, tells 
Of Superstition's fatal, glittering charm. 

FI£8T VOICE. 

Hark ! how the deep, grand tremblings sound 

From the organ's shining face ! The rich, sweet " swell," 

Breathing impassion'd tenderness, now wakes, 



334 THE CATHEDEAL SERVICE. 

Now dies with eloquent languishing away. 

But list ! like wind-harp's plainings, strange and sweet, 

Its music swells again ; and voices clear, 

Full of expressive pathos, plead with heaven. 

And hymn the sanctuary pure of grace, 

Mary, the ever-virgin, kind and blest. 

Sure, from her heavenly glory, her soft eyes. 

When our warm anthems greet her ears, will dart, 

Peculiar grace ; her face (that paradise 

Where Love doth dwell, amid perpetual smiles,) 

More sweet and potent for delight, on us 

Shall beam, than when upon the gaze 

Of Lover teaching passion to the flute 

A beauteous maiden, crown'd with roses, smiles. 

SECOND VOICE. 

Bewitching falsehood ! Soft, melodious lies ! 
And snares entwin'd of silk and golden threads ! 
Hymn ye the Fount of G-race, the " Jilpha " high. 
Without beginning, as uusearch'd in power ; 
Gracious, but jealous ; who will not resign 
His glory to created things ; not e'en 
To Her whence sprang the glorious King, 
Like a stately palm of Paradise from root 

Buried, in humble dust, from mortal sight ; 
Or, as Sharon's blossomy rose-tree from a seed. 

FIRST VOICE. 

List ye ! What soft, beseeching strains 
Entreat the glory of the Incarnate God, 



THE CATHEDEAL SERVICE. 335 

In His pure Tabernacle of silver shrined ? 
The kneeling priests, in rich embroider'd robes, 
Win, with th' imploring eloquence of song. 
Their access to the Shrine. mystery deep ! 
The hallow'd bread deceives the gazer's sight ; 
Once broken on the Cross, behold Him now 
By mystic re-production here to day 
Broken for guilty man ! The essence high 
Breathes in the Elements, and in the Cup 
Flashes again on earth. In reverence low, 
Thoughtful of sin and folly, let us bow, 
And worship Whom the angels hymn in heaven. 

SECOND VOICE. 

mad infatuation ! Cease your hymns, 
Ye ravishing minstrels ; or, direct their voice 
To Him who reigns on high ; nor thus confound 
The shadow with the substance true. Invoke 
The Church's watchful Head. In viewless fount 
His pardoning blood is ever warm. To thee, 
Holy One of Bethlehem ! we kneel, 
Tasting the symbols of Thy love ; athirst 
For thy sweet presence in our contrite hearts : 
Thither, Heavenly King ! descend ; there reign. 



THE AXE-MAN IN THE DEEP FOREST. 

In the sounding depths of the forest shade 

The wood-cutter's axe is flying ; 
And the quick, wild spring of that fatal blade 

The strength of the great is trying. 

The woods are dark, and the wild vines thick, 

In a 'wildering tangle grow ; 
Unappalled at the thought of that labor immense, 

He plieth the echoing blow. 

Within that nimble, resistless steel 

The wood-cutter flings on high. 
The splendors of what keen lightnings dwell, 

Whose thunders shall shake the sky. 

When, rushing like the pinions of death, 

The crashing maple descends, 
And all the beauteous scene below 

With terrible havoc rends ! 

And the gorgeous shade above that's seen. 

The musical breeze shall miss ; 
And his sacrifice of languishing green 

The sun's warm brightness shall kiss. 



THE AXE-MAN IN THE DEEP FOREST. 337 

And by yon trunk, where the fragrant bee 

His edifice doth build, 
A garden sweet as the face of glee 

That my rosiest moments filled, 

Shall blossom around o'er the mellow ground, 

And beauty's footsteps there 
May tread with a light, enchanting bound, 

As blithe as a bird's in air. 

There, where the mighty, branching vault 

Springs with translucent green. 
And the only boss or pendent now 

That from the arch is seen, 

Is the hang-bird's nest, with the fiery gleam 

Of his bright, little fairy form. 
Revealed by the casual flutter of wings 

O'er the eggs he keeps so warm, — 

There will, perchance, the Gothic vault 

The designs of nature mock. 
And the Gothic spire with cross invade 

The realms of the soaring haAvk ; 

There, beauty, light and majesty 

Shall hold a common shrine ; 
And where now roams the rustic youth, 

The forms of men divine 
22 



338 CONTENTED THOUGHTS OP HOME. 



Shall gaze aloft from sculptured niche 

And monument rose-bound, 
And the organ's mellow thunders roll 

Where the wild bird's chantings sound. 

Thus slowly, by determined power, 
May man transform his mind 

From the rude state that nature gives 
To soaring powers refined, — 

Beneath whose golden lustre sit, 

As age on age flits by. 
Vast crowds in admiration rapt, 

His name exalting high. 



CONTENTED THOUGHTS OF HOME. 

No lovely bower, festooned with purpling grapes, 
No home amid the orchard, where the peach, 
The quince, and apricot are mellowing, now 
Are mine : but a fair home is ours, 
My loved one, not unblest with bright 
And animating scenes. The river here 
Floweth, while there the bay expands till wide 
The bosom of Ontario heaves in sight ; 



CONTENTED THOUGHTS OP HOME. 339 

And on the ear the dashings sound 

Of her wild billows battling with the rocks, 

Which shake not at their tumult ; they quail not, 

Like hearts of mighty princes, undismayed, 

While roll the rumors on their ears from far 

Of the strong marshaling in arms and shocks of war. 

Lo ! distant on the waters, scarcely seen, 

Some merchant-sail is outlined. On this bank. 

Whose rocky strata to the waves stoop down. 

Let us recline, and gladdening o'er the scene, 

Fill up our hearts, as it is meet, with thoughts 

Of gratitude and dreams of hope and love. 

The world is bright around us : Plentj^'s store, 

Beautiful and nourishing, from her gathering arms 

O'erflows upon our lap, and we are blest. 

Thy lovely light and charm, beauteous Art, 

Thou on our home dost not disdain to shed ; 

The poet's never-dying thoughts, the bloom 

Fadeless and fascinating, which the breath 

Of stormy Winter withers not, and which 

His glittering, icy knife doth not cut down. 

And Love from his mysterious founts pours out 

His grateful ardors, with a precious charm. 

Hallowing and lighting up the stream of life. 

And are not some of those sweet joys which cheer, 

Where sacred love is cherished, are not airs 

Of this celestial peace astir e'en now. 

In our deep bosoms' climes, a theme for songs. 

And thankful incense unto God Most Hia-h ? 

On these pure winds that wander o'er this coast 



340 CONTENTED THOUGHTS OP HOME. 



The spirit of Health is floating. See ! her touch 

Glows on your cheek, whilst o'er these ancient rocks 

You tread exultingly. The soil beneath 

Is part of Freedom's empire. Here the heart, 

Unterrified by sword, or fire, or chains. 

Can worship as it lists : no tyrant crowned 

Binds man in vassalage, and frowning blights 

The free, fair budding of the mind. 

And checks the course of august Science, 

(With a thousand triumphs brilliant,) and casts down 

Her pale-browed devotees to dungeons drear. 

The breath of gratitude shall from our lips 

Ascend for all our mercies. As the flowers 

Which bloomed on Aaron's rod, yea, fairer far 

And sweeter, are the words of gratitude 

That gush toward Heaven sincerely from the heart. 

Back to the skies for blessings showered shall rise 

Our hearts' orisons, praise and prayer and love ; 

As doth the Lake, for Morn's rich, rosy light, 

Return a rosy splendor back to heaven. 



THE DAY OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY. 

A FRAGMENT. 

Then in the shadow, almost, of the Holy Fane ; 

Amid sweet pastoral scenes, the hills and vales 

Where David dwelt, the Mighty Guest of Earth, 

Its Great Deliverer drew his earliest breath. 

There in a human form, he shrined the light 

Of His celestial glory ; to the woe 

And weakness of our nature married then 

Th' immortal strength of His high Sonship. 

An emblem of his pure, refreshing truth 

Is the clear stream in Bethlehem's vale that flows. 

Prelude of spiritual harmonies and joys, — 

Of songs sweet with the breath of gratitude 

That were about to float o'er all the earth. 

Was that which charmed Night's raptured ear, 

Breathing from angels' lips. When in the deep 

And starry azure of the skies they flew, 

Fading on human sight, they show'd how souls 

When in Love's mystic founts laved pure from guilt 

And made anew by grace, shall mount at last, * 

Winged by the immortal blessedness decreed 

By Him who fills the world's majestic Throne, 

And sent His Son with ransom rich as Heaven's 

Great treasury could give, to buy us free 



342 ODE FOR FOURTH OF JULY. 



From grasp of robber-conquerors, and then 

To lead us by a lamp from Heaven's high fane 

From out of Error's dark and wildering wilds. 

Therefore within His temple we do keep 

A holy festival ; and offer now, 

Not gold alone as our heart's offering to His name. 

But th' myrrh and frankincense of love and praise. 

And as the song of nature flows afresh 

With fuller rapture, and the waters shine 

With richer beauty at the hour of morn 

When first the Sun appears ; — so do our hearts 

Breathe now a gladder music, are suffused 

With fresher glows of love and hope 

To see our Day-Star in the east again, 

And list the story of Messiah's birth ! 



ODE FOR FOURTH OF JULY. 

When 'neath the starry blue 
And the dawn's crimson hue 

Freedom serene 
Rose to her rocky seat, 
Canopied by glories meet 
Unto her banner's sheet 

To lend its sheen : 



ODE FOR FOURTH OP JULY. 343 

Then to her sons she cried 
" Faithful and just abide ; 
Love truth and right." 

Deep based in virtue's soil 
Rises with ceaseless toil 

Her refuge — fane ; 
In knowledge spread afar 
More than in arts of war 
The sure base whence to soar 

Her shrine doth gain : 
Hence to her sons she cried 
" Upright as brave abide ; 

Virtue is might." 

Like " the Graces " hand in hand, 
Freedom and virtue stand, 

With knowledge joined. 
As three hues in the light 
Melt and blend into white 
And one effulgence bright : 

So be combined 
The three whose praise we hymn ; 
Joined thus, nor weak nor dim, 

Freedom's glories live. 

When the bard saw on high 
In glories of the sky- 
Type of her flag ; 
Then doubtless, too, he saw 



344 ODE FOB FOUBTH OF JULY. 



Emblems of living power, 
Of freshness evermore, 

Strength not to fag. 
Enlightened virtue, sway ! 
Then while shine stars and days. 

Freedom shall thrive. 

Voices grand, full, shall hail 
Her sway from hill to vale, — 

Chant without end. 
Ice-cliflfs assailed by snows, 
Rocks where waves vainly rose, 
Castle secure 'gainst foes, — 

Types these of her ; 
Or emblems these of power 
Which is hers, (glorious dower !) 

Hers evermore. 

Then, as the glowing skies 
Ripen fruits, lending dyes 

Unto the flowers ; 
As pure winds, in the frame 
Fan health's delightful flame, 
So let influence e'er aim 

To bless home's bowers ; 
So our land's hopes shall bloom 
Saved from the blight and tomb. 

Fresh e'er her powers. 



THE COURT OF LOVE. 

" All passions, all delights 

That stir this mortal frame — 
All are the ministers of Love, 

And feed his sacred flame." 

Coleridge. 

I saw, in visions of the day, a throne, 

And one in witching beauty on it sat. 

Fresh in the morning blush of youth she seemed ; 

But one who stood beside her glory, hymned 

Her birth coeval with the birth of man. 

The glancing of her soft, blue eyes, a light 

Sinless, yet passionate and melting, shed. 

From Nature's wildness, rosebuds rich and fresh, 

In charmed beauty, wreathed her stainless brow, 

Striving to rival her celestial face. 

But, as a monarch's robe, though gemm'd, and bright 

With rarest Tyrian dyes, is dim beside 

The starry glow of rich, imperial Eve, 

So did their beauty vainly vie with hers. 

Her thoughts and hopes, too delicate to rest 

E'en on the gilded page of spotless white, 

She told by flowerets grouped. And she. 

From odors sweet of Heaven that round her streamed, 

And eloquence of soft and fond blue eyes — 

By lips which kindled for the impassioned kiss, 

And verse divine which round her breathed, 



346 THE COURT OP LOVE. 

With the harp's accompaniment, I knew was Love. 

Her ministers were round her : some as fair 

Well nigh, as was their queen. First, Poetry. 

Touching her golden lyre, her gifted soul 

In eloquence poured forth, charming the mind 

With images of truth — with fancies fair, 

And passion's conquering fire. And when she ceased, 

Love's pensive eyes were fixed upon her face. 

As spell-bound so ; excitement's flush 

Glowed on her heavenly cheeks, like morning's beams, 

Purple and glorious on a light blush rose ; 

And a deep sigh her ardent bosom heaved, 

As when a billow rocks a milk-white crowd 

Of water-lillies floating on a lake. 

Then Eloquence, with lofty mien, his voice, 

Mellifluous and modulated, raised, 

Charming attention ; and impassioned fires 

Flashed through his high, imaginative speech. 

(He spake of love's pure joys, the policy 

Which feeds the sacred flame, and makes the lips 

Familiar with bland smiles and kisses, sweet 

With the fresh honey-dew of tenderness.) 

Next, Music, with her rich-toned harp, assumed 

Her honied empire, and the air refilled ; — 

With tender melodies and concords sweet, 

Closing pathetic discords ; so the bursts 

Of April sunbeams chase the transient glooms ; 

So Heaven, at last, with joy and peace shall heal 

Those pangs of wo and death e'en saints may know. 

Art, too, the triumphs of her chisel showed, 



THE MOHAWK EIVER. 347 



The god-like form of beauty, and the throne 
Of mind, and majesty, and lofty love. 
Upon the beaming countenance ; and sweet. 
Harmonious, and mocking in life's hues 
Upon the canvas glowed and smiled the shapes 
Which Genius bade in commune pleasant join. 
Or in affection's ecstacies embrace. 

Thus did the ministers of Love perform, 

Before her rose-wreathed throne, their offices, 

And kindled brighter, on her altars pure, 

Her sky-born flames ; while warmer, fuller shot 

The lightnings through her spirit-form, 

And her deep eyes with tenderer pathos burned. 



THE MOHAWK RIVER. 

Visions of beauty float before mine eye ; 

The islands where gigantic trees upsoar, 
On which the free vines climb so gracefully, 

Where merry children swing, — their eyes yet more 

Finely bestained with brighter blue than wore 
Ever the Mohawk's tides, when, clear and glassed, 

They showed the sky its beauty. Now a shore 
I see, that springs erect as doth a mast, 
While far across the stream its shade at eve is cast. 



348 THE MOHAWK RIVER. 

Approach its source ; the mountains hem it in, 
As monarchs and high statesmen stand around 

A child that yet its princely breath doth win 
Most gently from the air, but yet may found 
A glorious name which o'er the earth shall sound ; 

And sway the hearts of millions, laying deep 
The bases where prosperity abounds ; 

So gently flows this streamlet, which shall sweep 

Far on and to the sea its mighty movements keep. 

Below, amid dark rocks, it foams along. 

Whirling in eddies 'gainst its craggy wall, — 
To teach us how, by perseverance strong, 

The ends of difficulty stern are all 

In time attained ; mark where its eddies brawl ; 
E'en the hard rock is worn away ; so learn, 

With hope indomitable, all the gall 
And wormwood and life's obstacles to spurn ; 
So victory with joy shalt thou at length discern. 

And here, where o'er the plain the waters roll 

And there turn towards the glimmering east away, 
Of old, St. Leger's lawless bands did stroll, 

Dark savages and soldiers fierce as they ; 

About Fort Stanwix's walls they skulking lay, 
The forests startling with their horrid cries ; 

But the firm hero, in that trying day, 
With scorn upon their army turned his eyes, 
Trusting to his bright sword and to the favoring skies. 



THE MOHAWK RIVER. 349 

Beside yon pure and sparkling spring tliere roved 
Two children, plucking from the purple vine 

The dainty fruit. A mother deeply loved 
Her tender arms around their forms to twine, 
And drink from their pure lips the bliss divine ; 

Laughter and health were on their rosy cheeks ; 
But hark ! the rifle cracks ! Life's precious wine 

Spouts from the heart of one ! the other shrieks 

To see the crimson stream that o'er her sister reeks.* 

In yon ravine the bones of warriors lie, 

Who fell in battle's fierce and desperate strife ; 
Ah ! many there lay down in pain to die, 

And gave to freedom and their land their life ; 

Amid that scene with awful discord rife, 
A hero,t with a mortal wound, surveys 

The harvest red of death's remorseless scythe, 
And coolly now the cunning scheme he lays, 
Which e'er that field shall shed the light of triumphs rays. 

As yet, no marble o'er that valley tells 

The countless throngs that by the river pass, 

How, in the quiet of that stream-washed dell. 
The bones of warriors slumber in the grass. 
Which, on that fattened soil, in tangled mass. 



* This horrid murder, beside Fort Stanwix, was probably committed by 
some of " those hell-hounds of savage war " who fought under the British. 



t Gten. Herkimer, who commanded at the battle of Oriskany. 



350 NEW TOEK IN SPRING. 

Grows with luxuriant strength ; but still the youths 

Who wander by the Mohawk's sheet of glass 
Recall, when near this place, historic truths, 
And thrill when o'er the spot their kindling vision moves. 



NEW YORK IN SPRING. 



Not as amid the country's bowers doth Spring 

Here in our city vast her presence show 

In the full glory of her blossomy j^omp : 

But yet e'en here her breath is fragrant ; soft 

Upon the eye steal forth her tender hues 

Of green just married to the virgin white 

Of May's delicious blooms. The memories fair 

Of other joys, like this, soft, sweet and pure. 

Are kindled by the radiance and perfume 

Which stream from her bright flowers ; the kiss 

Of childhood's stainless cheek ; a maiden's breath 

That flows through lips with love's enkindlings warmed. 

And sweeter than the heliotrope doth seem 

To him Avho doth its ruby portals press, 

And dreams that Eden's odorous verge is near. 

Grramercy's tiny park, an emerald gem, 

Invites with its soft, varied mass of green, 



NEW yOEK IN SPRING. 351 

The eye, while it unbosoms to the sun 

Its young, voluptuous loveliness. And far, 

Within the limits of the olden town. 

The lofty trees, now, as in many a Spring, 

The dazzling sunshine court with out-spread arms. 

But tho' bland Spring doth not amid the stir 

Of our metropolis her wealth of blooms 

Most lavishly unfold, — yet beauty here, 

In ranks like May's thick groups of blossoming trees 

Which fragrantly emparadise the home 

'Mid rural scenes, moves on in witching light, 

And fires the poet's heart with love. Sweet one ! 

In whose young cheek the deep rose richly glows, 

As though a soul on fire had blended there 

The beautiful flush of passion with the bloom, 

The pure, ripe bloom which health melts on the cheek. 

As if the feverish glow of sunset-light 

Were mixed with morning's clearer, pearlier beam, 

I see before me now thy stately form ; 

The glancing of those soft, blue eyes, their light 

Flashes athwart my heart ; and that pure look 

Of innocence and modesty and truth 

Seen in thy " face of flowers" breathes forth a power 

Diviner than the magic of thy form, 

Or beauty's roseate hues, tho' all Spring's flowers 

Are jealous of thy charms, that win the eyes 

Once sparkling at the sight of their sweet grace 

Nor thou alone ; a thousand fair walk forth 

To taste the grateful air and bid us feel 

That not alone amid the rural ways 



352 SONG OF THE SIBERIAN EXILE. 

Doth God prepare the beautiful visions meet 
To fill the heart with worship and delight. 

The slightest touch will soil the bloom which decks 
The butterfly's tinted wings, or the delicate blue 
Upon the ripening plum ; yet many here, 
Unsoiled their modesty do still preserve. 
And dare not give again the gazer's glance : 
'Tis thus some tender, modest flowers, when day 
Doth brightly look upon them, close their eyes. 



SONG OF THE SIBERIAN EXILE. 



Poland, my country, forever in dreams, 

1 see thy rich nature in summer's soft beams ; 
I see thy full harvests like warrior's plume 
Gently nodding, as seen ere the days of my gloom ; 

And I yearn to be there. 

Poland, the land of the noble and bold, 
Resplendent in glory of deeds that were told 
With harpings divine, all over the earth ; 

1 long to behold thee, sweet land of my birth, 

Free, honored and blest. 



THE KUIN AT GOLDAU. 353 

I see the gay dance where the bright maidens smile, 
And I hear the old songs that at evening beguile 
The circle where, once, as a free, welcome guest, 
I sang with the cheerful, discoursed with the best, 
As familiar as air. 

In this cold, dreary land, I languish away ; 
But for memory's sunshine and Christ's cheering day. 
No throb of true joy would relieve my deep woe. 
Or a flower from the gardens of Paradise blow 
On my desolate breast. 



THE RUIN AT GOLDAU. 

Hark ! hark ! as a crack of rending spheres 
A mighty thunder downward rolls ; 
Is it the call of doom, or a peal 
From some dark, furious storm which folds 
The mountain's top ? 

Ye clouds ! no more upon that crest 
Your sunlit pomp at Eve shall rest ; 
Ye eagles ! your young brood are cast, 
Nestless and trembling on the blast 5 
The mountain falls ! 
23 



354 THE BUTTEEFLT IN THE CITY. 

List to the roaring of its pines 
Down sweeping with chaotic rush, 
Whilst sleeps the village far below, 
As in past years, in tranquil hush : 
Awake, ye doomed ! 

The hill-top glooms above you all, — 
With fearful ruin dark and wild : 
One moment more, and young and old 
And mother with her smiling child 
Are whelmed in death ! 



THE BUTTERFLY IN THE CITY. 

Whither, fair, fluttering pilgrim of the air. 
Dost soar, — quite lost, amid the engrossing zeal 
Of enterprise and care ? So, sunbeams play 
Unseen o'er troublous clouds. 

A thousand forms 
Pass to and fro beneath thee ; who will mark 
Among the throngs of business, thy flight ; 
Or, seek with a brief glimpse of wondering love 
His anxious spirit to refresh 1 



THE BUTTERFLY IN THE CITY. 355 

Bright guest, 
From the soft, blossomy breeze of Weehawk heights, — 
A welcome to the imprison'd air ! 

With thee 
Come visions of delightful things, — wild flowers 
That rock the inebriate bee ; and children glad, 
Their rich locks glorying in th' exulting breeze, — 
And thy frail form the prize of their wild chase. 
But few here mark thee, or behold the hand 
That shaped in wisdom thy atrial frame. 
And with the dust of sunbeams, flour'd thy wings ; 
Thus, 'mid the crowd of speculations gross, 
And cares that centre in bright bags of gold, 
The poet's thoughts, tho' with the charming gems 
From fancy's mines illumed, — save, by a few, 
Are met not with admiring eye and love. 

And now, blow swift, but soft, 

Ye Western winds : 
Waft to the Greenwoods' groves that living flower ; 
Nor pause amid the rapture of your flight 
To kiss the frolic lips of dancing waves. 
There, on the " Sylvan-water's " margin clear. 
Its spotted form on rocking reeds shall rest. 
While Nature with her wizard pencil paints 
The delicate picture of those tinted wings. 
Hie, thing of gossamer, to the lily's bells ! 
For, in her mystic heart she now secretes 
The nectar that thy tiny palate loves ; 



356 THE VIBTUOUS PILGRIMS. 

And glad and free thy rovings thro' the dells 
Unmindful of the boding voice that sounds 
Where sleep the buried in mausoleum grand. 
Thus, from " the dust and stir of this dim spot " 
In the heart's pilgrimage, let it be ours, 
Ere long, in the budding bowers of bliss to rest ; 
Yet not unthoughtful of the marble homes 
Or humble turf-couch that shall claim us soon. 



THE VIRTUOUS PILGRIMS. 

Upon a long and trying way 

Which through a wild, sad, hideous, lay, 

Where crags and tangled fens the ray 

Shut from the travelers' path ; 

A few of brave and noble soul 

Which not adversity could tame, — 

Lofty tho' scorned, in strength forth stole, 

Pledged all to reap at their far goal 

Life's noblest good with fame. 

Each bore a sword and noble shield 
That oft on danger's darkened field, 
Bade threat'ning shapes of evil yield, 



THE VIETUOUS PILGEIMS. 357 

And baffled shrink away. 

But Passion sent her ardent throngs 

Witching and beauteous as the eyes 

A serpent lighteth when he longs 

To charm the gazing bird whose songs 

Guided him towards the prize. 

E'en these they slighted, though they shone 

Like beauty bound in star-gemm'd zone, 

Rose-crowned, upon her pearly throne ; 

And on unfallen moved. 

Yet one a golden chalice held 

In which the rosy grape-juice glowed ; 

Another swept the lyre and thrilled 

With music soft as ever filled 

Pleasure's embowered abode. 

And some with sweet, bewitching glance 

And grace that might the heart entrance, 

Moved in the airy, mazy dance. — 

But tempted them in vain. 

Towards the wild pass and thro' the dell 
They journey on where torrents rave 
In reckless might man scarce can quell, 
And where the wolf or panther fell 
Scream from their bone-strown cave. 

At times upon the mountain's crown. 
Where the keen frosts come thickly down, 
And wintry clouds most sternly frown, 



358 THE VIRTtrOUS PILGRIMS 



The night their steps did check. 

But trials of a fiercer cast, 

(Dark spoilers armed with mace and darts,) 

Rushed on them like a winter's blast ; 

And prompted all to shrink aghast, 

Except the bravest hearts. 

Yet all, their courage gathering, fought, 
And deeds of lofty daring wrought. 
Till all their foes the cover sought 
Of forests dense and night : 
And then, while lying on the ground, 
The luxury of repose to share. 
Delightful visions hovered 'round. 
As, after fearful storms, abound 
Sungleams and rainbows fair. 

These not alone shed blissful beams ', 
For, lovely doves, as fair as dreams 
Of Innocence, by flowery streams 
In rosy slumber couched. 
Came floating to their fainting band. 
Bringing rich fruitage from the land 
Where life's fair trees immortal stand, 
Clad in the blooms of heaven. 

At times when o'er their thorny way 
The tempest blotted out the day. 
There stole from Heaven a genial ray 
Rich with its holy love. 



THE VIETUOUS PILGRIMS. 359 

And here and there amid the lone 
And howling deserts where they went, 
Some stately castle on them shone 
'Mid groves with April blossoms blown, 
Whose lord a welcome sent. 

Within, reclining in the rooms 

Where maidens,* ripe in beauty's blooms, 

Made them forget the desert's glooms. 

They thrilled to music's voice. 

And the warm hand, in welcome given, 

Scattering the thoughts of all they'd feared, — 

And, fairer than the blush of Even, 

Bright glimpses of the gates of heaven, 

The weary pilgrims cheered. 

At length their pilgrimage was done : 

Of their eventful day, the sun 

Purples the West ; their race is run ; 

They reach at last the goal. 

The splendors of an orient dream, 

Yea, brighter, on them sudden beam, 

(Which shed thro' death's dark vale a gleam 

To cheer its sullen gloom.) 

Emerged in day's eternal blaze, 
Their gates the royal castles raise, — 



* The reader is requested to understand by the maidens "Faith, Hope 
and Charity." The evidences of these cheer the Pilgrims in Churches 
visited. 



360 THE VIRTUOUS PILGRIMS. 

And each the oft-breath'd homage pays 
Unto the Prince of life. 
fairer than the pomps of Even, — 
Resplendent are the courts of Heaven ! 
For, unto truth and love 'tis given, 
With Him, those courts to light. 

They who have delved in Baca's vale f 
Will see at length the clear spring swell. 
And drink bright joys beyond the pale 
Of Time's dim, mournful range. 
The rude and murky Winter air 
(Dark as the trials Pilgrims bear) 
Will soften in the Spring, and wear 
Summer's rich smile, in time. 

t " Blessed are they," &c., and " the man" Stc ; " who passing thro' the 
valley of Baca make it a well ; the raia also fiUeth the pools. They go 
on from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before 
God."— Psalm 84, 6. 

The passage may be intended to teach that they are blessed who labor to 
improve spiritually desolate places, that blessings descend upon their fields 
or spots of labor, and that they will be welcomed before God. 

Note. — It needs, perhaps, hardly be remarked to some that the doves 
spoken of the reader is requested to refer to the comforts of Heavenly grace 
granted to the Christian after triumph over temptation. 



WHITE LAKE. 

In the dreamy light of reverie, I see 

White Lake's expanse lie beautiful, all hushed 

In Evening's purple trance. Beneath the shades 

The woody hills cast on its glassy verge, 

How 8parkle,in the bright reflection, gleams 

Of Cytherea's orb, and the rosy flush 

The setting sun bequeaths the twilight hour ! 

I see a group just treading to its shores ; 

" Oh ! haste, and let us on its bosom float away ! 

Our decorated sail fills in the breeze 

That still, at times, floats o'er the Southern marge ; 

And the heart, with the soft, sweet joy that breathes 

Throughout this charmed air, is swelling high 

And thirsts for more enjoyment ? Now I see 

How o'er that radiant expanse they speed, 

How gaily streams their pennant to the breeze, 

Which swells anon to softly die away ! 

And with a softer flow, how liquidly 

Music's enchanting strains float forth ! Around, 

The floor of nature's temple widens ; 

Glassing broad pictures of the world above, — 

Like truth divine, which images — what forms ! 

Emblems of spiritual loveliness, and types 

Of Heaven's eternal glory ! Lo ! again 



362 WHITE LAKE. 



The zephyrs rouse the slumb'rer. Now I see 

How thro' the narrow pass they fly, and cleave 

The floating gardens, where the lilies spread 

Their pink-lined foliage, and their scented flowers 

Of white and golden hue. And now they turn 

To where the expanse spreads towards the golden West, 

To gaze on brighter beauty : for the sky 

The lake here mirrors with a wider scope j 

And with an equal glory, on the bank. 

The chestnut swings its blossomy boughs. ! this, 

I ween, is Love's most fitting hour ; and this 

The scene congenial, to his power ; for now 

To quick and sensitive life the heart is touched 

By the softly-breathing spell that evening sheds 

From her purple, dewy wings. While thus I gazed, — 

As a bright image from the poet's mind. 

Out from the beautiful serene below, (for now 

The day-breeze had its last sigh given, and all 

Was brilliant quietude ;) out sprang from the depths 

A sylph-like form, like naiad of the wave ; 

Or blue-eyed genius of that sparkling realm ; 

And on the listening air these accents fell ; 

" Ye mortals, who in Love's sweet, troublous depths 

Your souls would bathe, remember well 

High, heavenly aims should ever reign above 

Our plans and pleasures ; each with unction touched 

Of holy purposes ; our pleasures each 

A hallowed symphony in Duty's hymn, 

And not our chiefest music ; freshening showers 

That fall upon us while we culture truth ; 



EUGENIA. 363 



Or sought, if sought, as quickening to strength. 

And storing themes for gratitude. If thus 

My youthful heart had shaped and stamped its joys, 

And sought them in the path of duty fair, 

Not now lamenting in these twilight depths, 

My soul would be deploring its lost bliss." 

Thus speaking, in a cloud of mist she sought 

The shadowy world ; while wonder deep usurped 

Those youthful faces which delight had lit 

So smilingly before ; fain they would deem, 

Forgetful that on every eye it gleamed. 

The vision but a phantom of the mind — 

An emblem of that pure, romantic grace, 

Impersonation of that beauteous hour, 

Those tender, languishing hues of eve, arisen 

Amid bright Fancy's warm, excited air. 

Then from my pleasant day-dream I awoke. 



EUGENIA. 

Youth's morning hues are thine, Eugenia fair, 
The fresh, soft Spring and blossom of thy life ; 
I would not prophesy a summer drear, 
And sorrow darkening thine autumnal year, — ■ 
For, happiness serene may light thy way. 



364 EUGENIA. 



No dim and doubtful twilight, but the clear 

And glad effulgence of the mind's high day. 

Such sunlight hath been often woman's dower, 

And God from His blest throne hath tempered mild, 

Congenial to her tenderness, the air ; 

So tropic winds, in bland Columbia's wild, 

Sweet with the blameless sacrilege of flowers, 

Breathe warmth and scented dews o'er blooming bow'rs. 

What destiny awaits thee ? Wilt thou tread 

Like Siddons with a tragic air, sublime 

And solemn as the shades of mighty dead. 

Seen darkly peopling dim, departed time 1 

Or wilt thou pour thy glorious soul upon 

The poet's page in thoughts the world shall love ; 

Fame's everlasting blooms triumphant won. 

And smiles approving beaming from above ? 

Or, rather, in retirement's twilight bowers. 

The bands of truth and love wilt thou entwine — 

The wife and mother, zoned with childhood's flowers t 

Yes ! let this charming destiny be thine. 

That brow, which seems the firmament of thought ? 

Smooth, soft and tranquil, like the heavens above. 

Shines with the promises of peace. May nought 

Dampen thy heart, lit with a generous coal j 

E'er sweet and glad companionship, and true, 

The effervescence of a sparkling soul. 

The circle of thine influence bedew ! ; 

So may thine earthly friends, too, wear, 

In gratitude affectionate, thy smiles ; 



SPRING. 365 

Yea, and the viewless dwellers in the air, 
With their transparent fingers, smooth thy curls, 
Loving and praying that their Lord would bless, 
And in thine ever buoyant pulses pour 
Tides of celestial happiness, 

And thou, 
Immortal pilgrim, Love ! art sore. 
Thrust out from heart to heart, forever flying. 
Like the rich birds of paradise, that rove 
With unalighting flight from grove to grove 1 
Is not thy curtained couch Eugenia's breast ? 
Fold then thy pinions for eternal rest ! 



SPRING: A SONG FOR MUSIC. 

Welcome, again, reviving breath of Spring ! 
The fierce, remorseless blast and icy air 
Have made thy tokens grateful as the smiles 
Of one whose imago in the heart we wear. 

The floating of the blue-bird's wing awakes 
Visions of blue and softly-gliding streams ; 
Already in the noontide blaze they flow, 
Pure, sparkling like an Eastern poet's dreams. 



366 SHE GOETH UNTO THE GRAVE TO WEEP. 

Behold the hyacinth, with its soft green blade, 
Pierces the damp warm mould : the withered grass 
Freshens to pleasant greenness : and the tront 
Stirs in the stream, as shy as rural lass. 

Come, gentle Genevieve ! and let us taste 
The morning air so full of promise sweet ; 
The Sun no scorching fervor yet casts down, 
But pleasures everywhere our saunterings greet. 



•'SHE GOETH UNTO THE' GRAVE TO WEEP THERE." 

COMPOSED WITH REFEEE^fCE TO A DESIGN WITH THE ABOVE TITLE, WY C. SCHUKSSELE. 

lone and beautiful One, that pressest thus 
Thy hand upon thy brow, and wanderest forth, 
Say, whither bend thy steps ? The glorious day 
Beams over nature like a smile from Heaven ; 
Fondly as broods the dove upon her young, 
Or, as the mother o'er her child that sleeps. 
Feeble and cold, within her tender arms : 
So, o'er the trembling, budding life, now broods 
The sunny warmth and beauty of the day ; 
Fostering with genial glow the opening flowers. 
Has not the spring's bright beauty a soft charm ? 
Are not her opening buds, (the winning types 



SHE GOETH UNTO THE GRAVE TO WEEP. 367 

Of early sweetness, promise young, and hopes 
Shaping themselves in youthful loveliness,) 
Do not these opening buds attract thee now ? 
Hath the sweet odor of those blossoms pure, 
No luxury for thy sense, maiden fair ? 
And the clear gush from throats of her glad birds, 
Which sound the mellow flutes and silvery pipes 
In nature's concert, doth not this delight ? 
Doth not hope spread before thy mental eye 
A scene of beauty flushing 'neath a sky 
That melts in morning's richest, rosy light l 

Not to the flowery path the rill beside, 
Not to the shade beneath the stately palm, 
Where laughing maids assemble with their lutes, 
To sing sweet songs of home and love, and read 
The poet's fanciful thoughts ; nor to yon hill 
To join companions loved, who fill the air 
With merriment of wit, while pruning vines. 
No pleasant dreams light up, I trow, thy mind, 
Like light of perfumed oil in rural manse, 
Whose fairest rooms are blazing for a feast. 
That brow is throbbing now with grief; thy heart 
Is darkened with the sombre shade which comes 
Behind affliction, brooding long. Thy steps 
The solemn tomb are seeking ; so they deem, 
As from the house of sorrow forth thou goest. 
But not with death to hold companionship, 
She hurries forth : unto the presence loved. 
Of Christ, " the Way, the Truth, the Life," 



368 SHE GOETH UNTO i THE GKAVE TO WEEP. 



She turns her steps. In Him is comfort pure, 

As in the bosom of the skyey mount, 

Are reservoirs of waters sparkling, clear, 

Which freely gush for those who seek to breathe 

The pure air of the hills, and choose their founts. 

In Him are found the springs of life ; and He 

Is the appointed Way, the gateway true. 

Sculptured by Heaven's own wisest hand, that opes 

Unto the mansions and the climes of bliss. 

He is the Truth, its prophet high, its shrine, 

Yea, even its pure embodiment. And he 

The pressure of the hand of sorrow feels ; 

And sees in vision clear his coming fate, 

Gloomy with pain and woe ; He sees how truth. 

Glowing and pure, and how His holy zeal 

Will bring the tempest dark of hate ; as glows 

Of clear-aired summer days bring on, ere eve, 

The desolating storms. To Him, 

maiden, sorrowing, hie thee quick : with Him 

Dwells the resistless, quenchless Power, that soon 

Shall summon whom thou lovest from the tomb, 

And for a sable gloom give smiles and joy, 

And hymns of thanks and praise. For, He who shaped 

The form of man in beauty, adding then 

The gems unto the casket., mind and soul, — 

And gave the lip its rose tint, and the flowers 

Their grace and color : — He can with a breath 

Bid the rich tinges blush in that pale cheek. 

And their death-vanquished lightnings rule again 

In those night-dark, but closed and moveless eyes. 



THE CONDITIONS OF TRUE, ENDURING FREEDOM. 



" For, who loves that, must first be wise and good." 

Milton. 



Silent and slow is formed th' enduring rock ; 

The tree, which looms for centuries, sprang up 

With silent and unnoticeable growth : 

So nations ! form and grow the glorious shapes, 

The spirit and the strength of Freedom's high 

And lasting constitutions. Worship God 

In j)urity of faith ; in mere}'' walk ; 

Let charity, adorned with gifts, go forth ; 

The grand control of principle maintain ; 

Of Bethlehem's star th' unclouded light diffuse 

Thro' every haunt in life, — and ye may see 

A juster and enduring fabric rise 

As a bright fane for Liberty, a tower 

Towards which a myriad sworded braves will rush 

That sacred edifice to guard, the light 

And worshipped genius of the spot to keep 

From foreign force and its polluting breath. 

As gathering thunder-clouds around Eve's glow 
Drive off polluting airs which seek 
To taint her peerless loveliness, and flash 
Their fiery menaces and bolts, and bid 
24 



370 THE ALLIANCE OF VIRTUE AND FREEDOM. 



Dark vultures and the poison-airs to flee 

Which fain with shade obscene would cross her light, 

Or taint her breezes ; so, with fearful might, 

But with a constant vigilance and zeal, 

The sons of Freedom will her purity 

And her illumination blest defend. 



THE ALLIANCE OF VIRTUE AND FREEDOM. 

When Virtue, pilgrim to our shore. 
Her wings of heavenly radiance furled, 

She breathed the breath that shall, we trust, 
Regenerate the olden world. 

And Freedom's spirit, whose pure flame 
Sheds quickening splendors from our clime, 

Burns only in her breath with strength 
That shall defy the frosts of time. 

But when alliance, dark and strange. 
Would Freedom's beauty wed to Crime, 

The solemn mockery she spurns, 
And springs away in pride sublime. 



ANGELICA. 371 



Then band together, Freedom's friends ; 

In Virtue's triumph her's prolong — 
That years unborn, like ours, may chant 

Her everlasting nuptial song. 



ANGELICA I AN ACROSTIC. 

WRITTEN BT REQUEST, IN REGARD TO ONE UNKNOWN, 

All the stern hills around us, friend, 

Now in the morning brightness glow ; 

Golden and lovely is the day, 

Ere the summery sun is high, — 

Like a day sacred unto Hope ; 

Irradiate as the mantle rich 

Circling her form : So, life's rough scenes 

Are brightened by thy heart's more lovely glow. 



THE HUMMING BIRD. 



'Twas in the golden morn of time : The Sun 

Since Eden's blossomy loveliness was crowned 

With perfect beauty in the birth of Eve, 

Had glanced his brightness only o'er light clouds, 

Light as the wings of Love. Then one mild youth, 

On whom the smiles of God were slumbering full. 

Sat 'neath the sheltering vines, and gazed with joy 

Upon the soft luxuriance which forecast 

The shadow of his future in the skies. 

Why, gentleness, that start, and that quick flash 

In your blue eyes ? Was it the flash of fear ; 

Or, did the soul's clear mirrors glass 

The sudden lightnings of the clouds 1 

It comes ! 
The image of avenging power, — the storm, 
Wrapping in its dark wings the aerial powers 
Subtle and wild and blasting. Now they leap, 
Like furies changed into the forms of fire ; 
And the raven's young are nestless ; for, his pines 
Are crashing on the hills : and e'en the oak 
Is shivered to a wreck, a legacy 
To the wandering poor. The lion now 
Distrusts his power and grandeur ; majesty 



THE HUMMING BIED. 373 

And strength appalling ride amid the clouds ; 
Cower now thy daring front ! 

It comes ! 
The lake forgets its bright tranquility, 
And rolls sublimely. Now 'tis sweet 
Thy guardianship, Almighty, to believe 
Circling our hearts, to thy dear throne enchained, 
A chain no thunderbolt can shatter. Swift, 
As was its coming, lo ! the terror flies ; 
And see ! the East with beauty's arc is spanned. 
How beautiful ! yon lovely, loitering cloud 
That kindles in the freed beams of the sun, 
Is glory's throne, the bow her canopy. 
And when the rattling vollies die afar 
In the East still muttering from its cloudy deeps. 
And that dread fire is in the distance veiled 
That mixed strange splendors with the light of day, 
(As Belgium's war-peals blent with festive songs ;) 
And all the pomp and beauty of the scene 
Fades far away, the gentle youth exclaims 
" Stay, radiant arc ! the loveliest part 
Of all the glorious show, stay, and glow 
In the cerulean skies, and richly stain 
The fleeces of the slumbering clouds. The home, 
The beautiful, the loved, the angel-filled, 
Of souls beatified seems nearer Earth 
When that bright ladder springs aloft to heaven, 
And seems our pathway unto bliss." He scarce 
Had uttered these fond words when light 



374 THE HUMMING BIRD. 

Which dimmed the soft, exquisite rays that blent 

Into the rainbow's arc, the steps announced. 

And S3^mbolized the mind of one from heaven. 

" Beloved of God ! thy wish is heard, and soon 

It shall be gratified : the Giver bless :" 

He spake, and vanished ; as the rainbow flees 

And melts its lovely glories into air. 

Or as the twilight in th' empurpled West 

Fades when the night her spangled reign 

Claims in the stainless skies. His voice, too, ceased 

Upon the charmed ear, as when at night. 

Beneath the honey-suckle's bowers, the sense, 

Intoxicate with sweetness, hears entranced 

Th' eolian tones in strange and fitful swells 

Die in the moonlit air. But soon a form 

Less lovely, (but how radiantly rich !) emerged 

Prom 'mid a thicket of bright flowers, and poised 

Himself on viewless wings in air. His breast 

Stained with unfading beauty like the rose 

That wreathes the triumphs of celestial climes, 

The purple changing into green and gold 

And that to sparkling crimson ! Suitor fit 

To woo the dazzling balsamine and kiss 

The dewy lips of gillia-flowers and pinks. 

Child of the morning ! messenger of stars 

That sparkle with their rich and changing light 

Far in the voiceless heavens, linger here 

Among the impassioned flowers that love 

The thrilling touch of thy refulgent breast. 

And I will bless the matchless hand that called 



THE FOREIGN LAND. 375 



That airy form to being, and ordained 
The rose's dew-drops as the bridal gems 
T' adorn thy marriage to its virgin blooms. 



THE FOREIGN LAND. 



Welcome to your white clififs, foreign land ! 

The foaming dash of ocean, the wide realm 

Of waters where not even flits the gull ; 

The long, sad absence from the friends we love ; 

The restless swelling of the mighty Sea 

(As tho' its breast did heave with some deep woe, 

Or mourned the slumbers of the dead beneath,) 

The sky unbroken by the forests' boughs, 

And by the mountain and the spire unpierced, — 

All these at length do weary me : I yearn 

To gaze on some new page in Nature ; some new hymn 

In her attractive worship to enjoy ; 

In her kaleidoscope a grateful change 

To picture on the eye's living mirror. 

These novel costumes, these swart faces, eyes 

Full of the passionate lustre of the South, 

The tones and language strange admonish us 

That we are tarrying in a foreign land. 



376 THE FOREIGN LAND 



Strange music floats upon the airs of night ; 

The poet's song, which music warbles forth, 

Is strange and* meaningless to us. 

Yet, while we linger here, let not the heart 

Be desolate, without its home : Let not 

The spirit wander forth to seek new haunts 

Where it may dwell in joy, as bees to seek 

New fields of honied flowers. Contented well 

With those fond breasts which love us, tho' afar ; 

In those fair homes which twilight's tranquil hour 

Calls up in voiceful beauty to the mind, — 

There dwell our souls in vivid dreams of bliss, 

Tho' here the body wanders 'mid fair scenes, 

And Art and Nature interweave their spells 

Beauteous as living flowers on wreaths of gold ; 

And royalty and rank their pomps display. 

There is another land afar, where feet 

Which have in sweet and holy pathways walked 

While men were pilgrims in this earlier life, 

Shall yet be welcomed ; welcomed they shall be 

More warmly, joyously, in truth, than he 

Who worn with war, and laurel-crowned, returns 

To his paternal, bannered hall, that rings 

The while with music. Hearer ! walk while here 

In clear-eyed faith, in patience, trust and love, — 

And then, in that land (if to thee a far 

And foreign, not a cold, forbidding shore) 

Shalt see the King in His grand beauty ; there. 

At His bright marriage supper sit, a guest 

Welcomed and peaceful, loved for ever more. 



ELISABETH: AN ACROSTIC. 

"WHICH THE READER MAT APPLY TO ANY TO WHOM HE CHOOSES TO DO SO. 

Evening ! thou soft enchantress of the hours, 
Loveliest and richest of the radiant train ; 
Is not the image of thy ^vinning power, 
Sweet gentleness and beauty, — one whose face 
All gaze on but to bless the eye and brow 
Benignity and purity have lit ? 
Bach flush that kindles o'er the heavens now. 
The blushes, hiding 'neath her dark curls, show 
Happily typified ; star-beams her eyes emit ! 



TO L. G. : A VALENTINE. 



" Blest as. til' immortal gods is he, 
The youth who fondly sits by thee ; 
Hears thee speak, and sees thee smile, — 
Fondly listening all the wliile." 

Sappho. 



The almond-blossoms and the dew they've caught, 
To others breathe a sweet and stainless thought ; 
But when I'd dream of loveliest purity. 
My thoughts, delighted, turn to heaven and thee. 



THE REQUIEM OF THE BEAUTIFUL. 



SUGGESTED BY A PICTURE, REPRESENTING A TOUNG MAN WITH A MUSICAI. 

INSTRUMENT, APPARENTLY SINGING A MOURNFUL STRAIN BESIDE A 

YOUNG FEMALE IN HER LAST ILLNESS. 



Now when at Eve the flush so softly melts 

Across the healthful cheek of Day who seeks 

His rocking ocean couch afar, 'tis meet 

That music's tender voice and faith's low prayer 

And love's impassioned tones, and e'en the soul, 

(If so God wills) should float serenely forth. 

Afflicted, dying, but still lovely one ! 

In that deep, melting eye and in that face 

We read the tokens of a soul on fire. 

Nor one that hallowed flame ; for earthly love 

Its bright and stainless element doth mix 

Amid the saintly glow ; as when at morn, 

A beauteous bird, with tinted, lustrous breast, 

Seeking the eastern sky, his hues are blent 

With heaven's more lovely dyes. 

To-morrow's sun 
Will shine on heaven's new-born and purple buds, 
(Sweet as a maiden's lips when pleasure, love 
And modesty peep out at once therefrom) 
With genial influence : — and merry birds, 



THE REQUIEM OP THE BEAUTIFUL. 379 

Intoxicate with May's delicious breath, 
The praises of her flowery beauty chant, 
Shaking her blossoms in a snow-like shower, 
As boldly they alight. How sweet for thee, 
To wander healthful by thy lover's side, 
gentle maiden fair, — and list the words 
Whose tender eloquence would make the song 
Of Nature hymned for thee almost in vain ! 
In vain the lips of opening flowers would pout 
While other lips thy charmed attention claimed ; 
And then in vain for thee the blue bird's wing 
Would brightly be unfurled, while ardent hope 
Her fairer pinions spread amid the sky 
Of promising futurity. Beside yon vine 
That clasps the aged elm, I dream I see 
Thy stately form at rest ; the wind at play 
Flutters thy opened book but cannot break 
The smile of taste's delight that curves thy lip 
While the poet's beautiful thoughts into thy soul 
Slips like a dew-drop into fount serene : 
Or, as a pearl sinks melting in the tide 
Which dyes the golden chalice. 'Tis a tale 
Of love which wins thy earnest gaze ; a dream, 
Pictured in verse, of wedlock's stainless bliss. 
Such themes might well delight a maid like thee. 
Plighted to Hymen's hour : — but ah, in vain 
The pleasing visions rise ! Thy lover's heart. 
Deep-struck with sorrow, mourns the fading rose 
Upon thy spotless cheek, while ne'er from lyre 
Of mighty minstrels stole such melting power 



380 THE GRAVE OP THE RURAL PASTOR. 

As in thy low, sweet whisper lurks, for him. 
The fading of the beautiful, sweet youth's decay, 
The tolling bell and requiem teach the worth 
Of treasures in the skies, — of deathless hopes 
Born o'er the altar, where, in holy blood 
Sprinkled from stain, the faithful, penitent heart 
A welcomed offering was laid. 

Thus 
By death's dark strokes, the ardent heart of youth 
Is taught the unsteadfast nature of its joys : 
Since even woman, God's most precious gift. 
Fades like the blushing summer, or as day 
Smiling and warm and fragrant, — sinking soon 
In gloomy, cold and uncongenial night. 



THE GRAVE OF THE RURAL PASTOR. 

WEITTEN AFTER VISITINa MARLBOROUGH, N. T. 

How beautiful, amid the rocky hills 

Eolls the majestic Hudson ! nobly tower 

The highlands on the south — as from this height 

I gaze upon the scene around, and view 

The autumn hues now fading ; though romance 

Here never dies. Though beautiful and great 



THE GEAVE OF THE EUEAL PASTOR. 381 



Is Nature, ever loved, around — yet he 

Who, 'neath yon mound so fresh, is slumbering, 

Is not forgotten. So, thy course, 

My friend, is ended ! darkened now 

The play of wit's quaint fancies in the cloud 

Of death, and chilled in his cold gloom 

The beams of kindly sympathies. The Church 

Can hope no longer, in this rural spot. 

For voice of thine to fill this holy air 

With solemn Litanies, and " Lessons " rife 

With the pure wisdom that exalts and saves. 

Here, in the Lenten days, no more his lips 

Shall the sad story of the Cross rehearse ; 

Nor listeners, on the Sabbath, see the gleams 

Of Heaven's salvation beaming winningly, 

While he, in ministration solemn, breaks 

The emblems of the living Bread of Life. 

That rose shall bud and bloom again, when Spring 
Her musical summons, in the soft, sweet air. 
Anew is sounding ; but those lips which rest 
Beneath that sod shall redden ne'er again. 
Those trees again shall rock in summer's winds, 
But he who planted them shall move amid 
Their waving beauty never. Stilled his voice. 
His step arrested, and his work is done ! 

Here must I the repeated lesson learn : 
The day is fleeting — night will come anon. 
While the sun lingers in the sky, ere yet 



382 THE GEAVE OF THE RURAL PASTOR. 



The shadows of the voiceless night draw on, 

We should our work urge forward : then that day — 

Greatest of all the days — shall show us blest 

Above all other blessing, in the joy 

Of our Lord's " harvest home.'' He sought the night 

That day on us might rise : as the sun sets 

And dies 'mid sanguinary streams, shade-wrapt, 

That he may rise in brilliant morn on those 

On whom the shadows of the night are cast. 

The river in dark chasms plunges down, 

But leaves a radiant sun-bow hung above ; 

So Christ into the deeps of suffering, 

Of vexed debasement and of death went down, 

But left a shining promise, richly fraught 

With mercy's tints of beauty, hung in sight 

Of those who loved Him, that redemption full 

He'd gain for all. He rose to urge his gifts, 

Sealing the promise heavenly : so night 

To those who've served Him, shall a brighter day 

Usher unto their ripest happiness. 

The buds of hope, which death essays to crush 

Beneath his icy tread, shall open fair. 

Wooed by the sunbeams of Christ's advent bright. 

Matured into fruition blest, beneath 

His glance of power, all-conquering and Divine. 



WHOM THE GODS LOVE, &C. 

Whom the gods love, they teU us, languish young 
And in the bloom of manhood fade away ; 
And spirits in their heavenly countries keep 
High festival when their sweet guest arrives, 
(Whose lingering blest too much a sinful world.) 
The shining mark the gifted, likewise, form 
Whereat the faultless archer wings his shaft ; 
For, God, who saith " the secret things " as yet 
" To me belong," and hath the grades ordained 
In wisdom's everlasting march, doth check 
Thought's searching splendors when the}^ dare intrude 
On the deep province to the angels given. 



SAMUEL, THE CHILD-PROPHET. 

The solemn midnight reigned o'er all Judea. 
And slumber, like the dreamless trance of death, 
Drowned man and nature in her mystic spells. 
What lustre flickers yonder in the West ? 
A star that languishes 1 or, ray that's left, 



384 SAMUEL, THE CHILD-PEOPHET. 

Imprisoned in the folds of distant clouds, 

And may not follow where the elfin beams 

Their riot of eternal sparkling keep ? 

Or, is't, indeed, a mortal stirring now. 

His torch-lit pathway groping thro' the fields. 

Seeking his cot ? Behold ! thro' giadden'd airs, 

That follow for the sweetness of his robes, 

A " liveried angel " glides ; and seeks the spot 

Where Zion's tabernacle gleamed. For yet 

The Temple's lamp waned not, bnt blest the air 

With the soft, purple glories of its flame, 

And wooed with quenchless light forgiving heaven. 

Lost in the beauty of his sinless dreams, 

The fair child Samuel slept ; and saw anew 

The gem-impris'ning ephod glow, and belt 

Of gold and scarlet and of lily-white 

That girt Jehovah's priest. Nor stirr'd the boy 

When the hush'd waving of that angel's wing 

Left his soft curls all trembling with its wind. 

A moment on the boy the seraph gazed. 

Then bow'd his head, as in the air he saw 

The token of the presence of his God. 

One moment more, and thus aloud he prayed : 

" Thou that art the Sun of Love's bright heaven, 

Who oft the emblematic silver of Thy breast 

Spotlessly white, dost gem with golden heads 

Of smiling cherubs bosomed for repose, — 

Now grant me that with lips oi human sense 

My kiss their mortal counterfeit may wake ; 

For, as I gazed, a gush of heavenly love 



SAMUEL, THE CHILD-PROPHET. 385 

Poured its rich lightnings thro' my soul. No voice 
Replied, but well the angel knew, that love. 
In earth or heaven, its privilege might claim, 
And therefore prest the soft, ambrosial sign 
On mouth that shamed the rose's bud, or bow. 
Resistless and bright-curved, of Cupid's grasp. 
The sleeper smiled and spake, as if strange bliss 
Leapt from those heavenly lips on his, nor broke 
The rosiest enchantment of his dreams. 
Then spake the majesty of God, and called, 
(In tones of winning tenderness subdued) 
On Samuel the child. The red-plumed page 
That on the footsteps waited of his King 
Vanished to viewlessness. 

The boy arose 
And sought from aged Eli his command. 
" Lie down again, my son, I called thee not ;" 
And to his couch the gentle Samuel went. 
An awful silence ; and again that voice 
Made the place shudder with prophetic awe, — 
(For Heaven designed that Eli's ear should take 
From Samuel's lips the announcement of his woes.) 
Again that call ; again he Eli sought. 
Returned once more, the summons yet he heard ! 
" Nay, but thou didst just call me ;" " no, my son," 
The priest again replied : " But if again that voice. 
At once reply, ' Speak, Lord, thy servant hears.' " 
Then came again, in shadowy secret veiled. 
The Father or the Word, and called the child 
25 



386 SAMUEL, THE CHILD-PROPHET. 



And heard the lisped sweetness of his voice. 

" Behold," said God, " a thing in Israel 

I do, on hearing which, shall both the ears 

Of every one in Jacob tingle ; then 

My words 'gainst Eli's house shall be performed ; 

When T begin, the consummation dire 

Shall surely follow. As his sons have made 

Themselves most vile, and he restrained them not, 

I've therefore sworn the sins of Eli's house 

By sacrifice or offering shall not be 

Purged out for ever." Then the angel droop'd, 

Grieving for the reproving stroke which not 

The sacred beauty of the priestly robes 

Could shield from heart not void of piety. 

Rejoice ! Israel, — the temple's paths 

Shall holiness re-bleach with heavenly light, 

Though, on the head of sinful weakness fiung 

In stern, heart-breaking lightnings ; yet received. 

To thine immortal praise, old man ! with words 

Of pious resignation. So, for thee. 

Thine earthly woes shall be thy punishment, 

(We, reading thy sad history, will hope,) 

And heaven shall welcome thy glad soul at last : 

As feeble stream, that loitering in the vale 

Is by the fierce, reproving blasts fast bound 

In prison of ice ; and yet shall leap when glows 

Of genial Spring shall flush the scented air. 

And clap its hands with ocean's rapturous waves. 

Back to his home the ministering spirit flew, 

And Heaven's high Diplomatic Angel wrote 

That Samuel, the child, was Seer of God. 



THE DWELLING-PLACES OF HAPPINESS. 



AN ACROSTIC. 



To what fair scene, illumed with blushing flowers 

Of rarest sweetness, and with sunbeams like 

Juliet's soft glances warm with love and hope, 

Unto the impassioned gaze of Romeo given, 

(Light bursting from the soul,) may one now turn 

In hope of finding that fair prize of bliss. 

All are athirst for '? Can the tropic skies, 

All odorous and brilliant, shower it down ? 

No. Can the exciting thrill the sportsman feels, 

Darting amid the forest's shadowy pomp, — 

Gliding in ambush o'er game-haunted lakes, 

Ever the heart persuade of perfect joy ? 

Oh, no ! Earth's Eden is not found, — not e'en 

Round the Euphrates where it bloomed ; but where 

Grace, gentleness and love are beaming forth 

In the pure circle blest of woman's heart ; 

All airs of heaven that ever breathed on earth 

Now loiter in her smile. The fireside, forest, field, 

All are emparadised when she is there. 



A TRIBUTE : LINES SENT TO * * * 



Thy beams are beautiful, soft evening-star, 

In the glassy trance of the river's breast ; 

(As the sweet child reflects the mother's smile, 

Up gazing on the face it loves, so here 

Are shot again to heaven its lovely beams ;) 

Thus in my soul a dream of woman's heart 

Dwells silently, but clear and pure and bright ; 

But to the minds that those sweet visions lit, 

Their lineaments I will not mirror forth ; 

Guard thou, my heart, the images I lov€ ! • 

But I with such cannot but converse hold, — 

So potently those memories control 

The tender tides of feeling ; and my thoughts 

Dwell gladly in such choice tho' far commune. 

loved and thrice-blest pen ; and sweetest page. 

Worthy of perfumes from Spring's loveliest flowers 

That here engage to catch my words ; so wings. 

Motioned by wondrous art, may bear them hence 

Unto * * * 's hand ! Her eye will beam 

Upon this page ; then, as a trifle, she 

Will casts its words aside. And yet, perchance. 

The thought that here a sentiment there breathes 

Of deep, enthusiastic love for truth. 

For gentleness, and purity, and warmth, 



DEDICATORY LINES WRITTEN IN AN ALBUM. 389 

Where'er they blend in woman's kindlier heart, 
Shall make her closely guard and prize still more 
Those traits whose power, when hallowed, aids to form 
Fair virtue's realm harmonious and blest. 



DEDICATORY LINES WRITTEN IN AN ALBUM. 

To thought and poetry and feeling be 

These pages sacred. Here let friendship breathe 

Her pure and gentle inspirations, fresh 

As is the spray from fountains flung, and sweet 

In memory's atmosphere as flowers' perfume. 

The living and the lovely gushings free 

And glow of youth's fine feeling and its hopes 

Be pictured here ; and from the heart 

Be poured such truthful strains as ever please. 

Like gems amid a laughing stream, here, too, 

May wisdom's thoughts and counsels win the eye. 

As proved Manoah's visitant no guest 

Of human character but spirit blest 

From heaven's resplendent climes, so here 

May pleasure sought by many a friend 

In poet's words luxurious and sweet 

Prove deathless, high and holy benefit : 



390 woman's part in life. 

So they who to the gay and flower-decked founts 
Of poetry approach, may there be won 
To enter and to learn in Wisdom's fane.* 



WOMAN'S PART IN LIFE. 

WBITTEK FOR HRS. N. H. D. 

To greet the freshness of the morning skies 

With th' air and words that speak the mind which doth 

Alike on beauty and on duty dwell ; 

Loving the zeal of industry to rightly mix 

With the rich spirit that the flush of dawn 

And sound of flowing waters and the breath of flowers 

Enkindle in the soul refined ; (the sight 

Reminding us of sheaves of wheat bound round 

With circlets sweet with dewy buds.) Around 

The household group to twine the anxious thought, 

And plan the sweet home-drama of their bliss ; 

To lead them by her side in heavenly ways : 

With courtesy and th' tempting, ready store 

Of entertainment that the mind and hand 

Can give to stranger and to friend ; 

To make their tarrying in her presence glad ; 

• In allusion to a picture on the first page of the Album. 



A PILGRIMAGE ON A CLOUD. 391 

To sympathize with suffering, and plot 

The schemes that yet its ruffled hours may smooth, 

And minister in love to sorrow's woes, 

Drowning the vexing heat in calm and hope. 

To light with genial thoughts the dusky Eve 

And charm her solemn ear with music's breath, 

Where heart the witching modulation gifts 

With warm and melting power ; these are a part 

Of woman's office in the sorrowing world. 

Nor unforgetful nor unskilled in these 

Is she, for whose especial eye these lines 

Have soiled the whiteness of this pictured page. 



A PILGRIMAGE ON A CLOUD: A SKETCH. 



" I wandered lonely like a cloud 
That flits on high o'er vales and hills." 

WOBDSWOETH. 



for a light, etherial frame to ride 

On the soft folds of yonder rosy cloud ! 

How richly doth it swell amid the skies 

Like to the broidered couch, befringed with gold, 

That eastern grandeur spreadeth for a King. 

If o'er the air a subtle spirit reigns. 

This is the couch his glory would receive. 



392 A PILGRIMAGE ON A CLOUD. 

Lapped in voluptuous beauty, let me sail 

With the soft breathings of the South ; how fond 

It loiters in the glittering roll ! Ye winds, 

Bear gently now o'er fragrant fields where grass 

Falls with sweet swoon before the mower's scythe ; 

And where upon the golden grain the birds 

Are rocking while they sing. 

Now to the fields 
Where meadow-larks and mocking-birds do vie 
In their mellifluous rapture, and make drunk 
The heart with music, Now beside the top 
Of thunder-blasted mountains let us range, 
And gaze o'er dizzy crags and chasms where 
The eagle glances with his tameless eye. 
And screams upon his prey. Behold the lair 
Where the fierce panther hides his playful young ! 
Soon must we quit this scene, and float serene 
Where commerce brightens with her sails the tide 
Of the abounding river. List the voice 
Mellow and rich of bugle-horns that wake 
The echoes of the hills to glorious song ! 
'Tis thus the boatman cheers his leisure hours 
And adds to nature's poetry. And now. 
Fair pilgrim of the azure climes of heaven. 
Veiled in delightful slumbers, let me glide 
And wake where Andalusian damsels blush 
To the passionate glances of the sky. I see 
Their dark locks wave beneath the vines 
Whose tendril-curls they rival, while their cheeks, 



A PILGRIMAGE ON A CLOUD. 393 

Ripe as the purple spoils, are flushing now 

With the dance that celebrates the day. Yon tower, 

Crumbling to rich, romantic ruin, tells 

What tales of war and chivalry and love ! 

How lonely now and silent ! and how art 

Yields unto nature's triumphs with sweet grace, 

Her ivies wrapping all things in their shroud 

Of most luxuriant beauty. Hence we float. 

Now waft, ye winds, to where Italia's art, 

Amid magnificence in ruins throned, 

Smiles with enchanting glory. Pause ! 'twas here 

Angelo's genius poured eternal fame 

Upon the land which bore him, and gave art 

New dignity and lustre ; Raphael here. 

The glorious in design, first drew the breath 

Which death should ne'er have quenched : and here 

Canova's genius triamphed and set free 

The prisoners that were closed by marble walls. 

Da Vinci, the Caracci, Guido, here. 

With Titian, Domenichino and Lanfranc 

Enriched Italia with renowned designs 

That tempt the gifted sons of Art from far. 

Wealth like expanded gold ; a visible spell. 

Here where the mighty shade of Cicero glides 

Through vine-hung arches in the moonlight dim, 

'Twere glorious to linger, if a voice, 

Winningly potent, called not to the grove 

Where Plato's lofty musings had their birth. 

If Truth with awful countenance doth shine 

High on the brow of steep and rugged rocks, — ' 



394 A PILGRIMAGE ON A CLOUD. 

There are fair gardens glistening in her smile, 

And there his spirit wandered, near her throne. 

Great names rush on the memory. The soil 

Must e'er be sacred unto classic fame. 

On, beauteous cloud, float on, and pause at length 

Where trod the feet of Jesus ; there are tones 

Yet lingering of immortal power ; for truth 

And love conspired to weave the bands 

Which nations bound and yet must bind the world : 

Illustrious, He, beyond the classic name, 

In virtue's peerless triumphs and in birth ! 

Not like the morning-cloud that melts in air 

Shall prove the ascending star of Bethlehem ! 

All nations yet shall gladden in its light. 

beauteous cloud, like beauty's queen thou'st born 

From the dazzling foam of ocean ; and like her, 

Whose reign voluptuous is broken, thou 

Shalt melt and leave but visions soft behind. 

No more I'll wander in my fancy led with thee ; 

Farewell, bright wanderer ; seek the ocean's breast. 

My twilight, desultory dream is o'er. 



TO AN EAGLE SOARING. 

Where goest thou 1 to heaven 1 Thy lessening form 

Is dim upon the sky. Seest thou a storm 

That rises in the West, — or, is thy burning heart 

Drunken with that " empyrial air " wherein thou art 1 

Or, what strong influence there so far from earth 

Should keep thee from the mountain of thy birth. 

My streaming eye ceases at last to follow thee. 

Thou fearless wanderer on yon island-broken sea ! 

(For, we can dream the clouds are floating, castled isles, 

Where over-flowing light in richness ever smiles, 

Arising 'mid yon sea like promontory piles.) 

Gleamed there no terror in thy startled eye. 

When lone amid the thunder-cloud on high, 

Thou gazedst on the lightning couchant there, — 

That tameless lion, springing from his lair ? — 

Despatched from Heav'n's dark, cloud-hid judgment-room, 

A quick executor of fearful doom. 

Clad with the bright sublimity of God, 

And hurried by th' impatience of His nod. 

So, thro' the clouds of horror and of war. 

Let Liberty herself sublimely soar ; 

Fear not the lightnings of despotic power, — 

IfoTE. — The above is an eflPusion of earlier date, having been written in 
Collegiate days. It bears date 1837, and appeared in the " New Yorker." 



396 A FRAGMENT. 



Glance from her waving wing its iron shower, — 

Dreadless upon her ear their thunders roll. 

And all unshaken still her mighty soul ! 

Thou sky-delighting bird, soar on, soar on ! 

A passion-stirring sight to look upon ; 

A living type set in her brilliant skies 

Of Freedom's glory here that with her eagle dies. 



FRAGMENT OF LINES WRITTEN IN REFERENCE TO DEATH 
OF T. S. MACAULEY. 

A COLLEGIATE EFFUSION. 

" Far off is he, above desire or fear : 

No more submitted to the change and chance 

Of the unsteady planets ; 

'tis well with him I" 

Coleridge's Walleinstein. 

Live I awake, or lost in visions. 
While upon my ear there seems 
To rise a voice as from the prisons 
Of the viewless cavern streams 1 
Cavern-rivers darkling downward 
Thro' their channels 'neath the ground ; 
While e'er flowing sunless onward. 
Solemn tones are rising round j 
Again they rise like notes of warning, — 



VALLEY BY THE MOUNTAINS. 397 

Friendship's heaving sobs ! too sad for aught besides, I fear ; 
And breathless as the lips of morning, 
Listening, trembling, mute I hear 

The wild heart-breathing music of the bier ! 

****** 

A star has fallen from the sky 

Of human intellect and worth, 
A star has sunken, nor is nigh 

The hour of its return : Tho' Earth 
Should share no more its lustre rare. 

We hope o'er other climes away 
'Twill brighten in the golden air, — 

Burn mild amid that higher day, 
Calm as a Seraph's heart in prayer. 



VALLEY BY THE MOUNTAINS. 



A PERSIAN SKETCH. 



Where 'neath the glances of the radiant morn, 

Luristan's high crown, flushing in the dawn. 

Hath lovelier vision burst upon the sight 

Than that which hath been thine since new-born light 

Scattered the gloom of chaos '? Beauty here 

Her throne of majesty doth surely rear ; 

And 'neath her dome of pearly, mottled blue 



398 VALLEY BY THE MOUNTAINS. 

Reveals a scene magnificent to view. 
Romance itself here in that wild ravine 
Must linger all the year ; now in soft, green, 
Voluptuous loveliness attired j and then 
Veiled by the jealous hand of winter, when 
The monarch of white locks and silvery crown 
Returns to this his palace, and casts down 
Soft, showy carpets, and bids Nature wear 
A robe of whiteness pure as childhood's fair 
And sunny dream of home and love and bliss. 

surely in a scene as bright as this 

Th' enkindled soul must upward rise and greet 

The smiles of heaven with homage warm and sweet ; 

The soft, green, slumbering loveliness we see 

'Round yonder brook shall voiceless quickener be 

Of tender dreams which in the sunshine sleep 

Of Fancy's eye, and of heart-musings deep. 

The painter when with wizard wand he makes 

The canvass to a mirror change, which takes 

Th' enchanting image of this scene of grace, 

(There fixed, as is the sweet and flowery face 

We fondly loved preserved in memory's glass, 

A picture bright that never thence can pass) — 

The painter of this scene shall honored be 

By souls exalted and refined to see 

This charming page of Nature's poetry. 

As Venus smiling by the side^of Mars, 

With countenance as fair as dew-washed stars. 



NIAGAEA VISITED IN AUTUMN. 399 

Turned lovingly up toward the hero grand, 

So looks this loveliest vale of all the land 

Up toward Luristan's rugged heights sublime, 

The mighty guardians of this rosy clime. 

Lo ! in the distance, sparkling through the green, 

The minarets of Ispahan are seen. 



NIAGARA VISITED IN AUTUMN. 

Here in great Nature's gorgeous fane we stand, 
Where grand libation endlessly is poured. 
And incense soars aloft forevermore : 
Th' Almighty King the offering receives. 
And on the rising cloud of homage hangs 
His bow of promise and of grace. 
How fair and gladdening (as a dream of love 
And of the pure, fond bliss of childhood's hours 
To the mind torn and tortured by stern grief 
And vexed by sullen gusts of wild despair,) 
Shines near the foaming, furious cataract. 
This promise writ in rich-hued beams of light ! 
Here swells in Nature's temple thro' all years 
Her hymn of praise, while sound the thunder-tonea 
Of her great organ builded not by man, 
Shaking th© bases and the rock-reared walls. 



400 NIAGABA VISITED IN AUTUMN. 

The rich, dark evergreens with icy fringe 
Hang sparkling now beside the dread abyss. 
They seem like a swarthy queen in jewel'd gear, 
With divers prized and fond attendants by, 
As Cleopatra decking for the step 
Adown the fearful steeps of death to realms 
Of mist and shades. 

How beautiful yon grove 
In all the wildness and the majesty 
Of Nature's primitive growth ! Rich mosses wrapt 
Around the noble trunks are velvety 
In colors brightened and bedewed with spray. 
The tiny flower which blooms upon the sod. 
Like it, is freshened in the flying mists 
Which breathe their welcome day-dews thro' these trees 
And hence, we, charmed with matchless beauty, learn 
True greatness hath a ministry of love. 
E'en for the humble and obscure, as for 
The gorgeous and the stately in their hour 
Of need and decadence. 

Yon beetling cliffs 
Which dark and dizzy, rise above the flood. 
Adorned with crimson, pendent trees like vines. 
Graceful and young, are types of strength. 
The glorious architecture of a hand 
Divine and infinite in power. And here. 
Below the falling sheet, where foams the flood 
With ceaseless roar and ever furious gusts 



NIAGARA VISITED IN AUTUMN. 401 

Of rack and wind, — in this dim cave 

The poet well might feign the genius fair 

Of this enchanting, gorgeous spot had shone 

At twilight when no other eye beheld ; 

As beamed the bright nymph thro' the sparkling spray 

Unto the eye of Manfred 'mid the wild, — 

Th' embodied, rich-hued glory of the scene. 

If here the spirit of the Indian brave * 

Dwelleth amid the flying mists of the mad 

And fearful cataract, (its grander traits 

Conspiring in his stern, etherial shape ;) 

Forth from the poet's imaged sprite doth glow 

The light, the hues, the fresh, eternal charm 

Of waters and of rocks and moss and flowers, 

Of sun-bows and of foam-washed crystals clear, 

The sparkle and the rich and bloomy grace 

Which in the lovelier features of the scene 

Adorn the spot as Nature's glorious shrine. 

This noble gem of scenic beauty set 

Upon the swelling breast of Earth, hath, too. 

Its fair and delicate chasings as surroundings meet. 



• Alluding to the idea, (elsewhere also mentioned) that the spirit of Red 
Jacket, Chief of the Sen^cas, ling^ers near the Falls of Niagara, iu harmony 
with his belief that it would. 



26 



SPRING LOITERINGS BY WOOD CREEK, 

Beneath the shadow of this stately elm. 

Here, wooed and won by Nature's beauty wild, 

Let us recline, and free the imprisoned thought ; 

Aye, let the fancy mount on unchecked wing. 

Like that of Nature's freest child, the bird. 

Let feeling flow as freely as the stream 

Which dedicates its azure wavelets to the day, 

Kissing the drooping violets on the bank 

To sip the honey-dew within their lips. 

Mark how the soaring strength of the fine, old trees 

Which toss above our heads is richly robed 

With coats of moss ! The birds at rest 

Wait for the cooler hour of Eve, on high, 

'Mid shade of noble foliage-masses ; there 

Breaking up silence with many a trill 

And gush of untaught music. Here 

Beside us wander o'er the grassy verge 

Of this old forest, groups of lowing kine, 

Glossy and sleek with the land's fatness. Quick 

Upon the sleeping water in yon curve 

Of the dark-hued stream, the glossy " whirlwig " black 

Circles in blissful play, as aimless as 

Rove now our thoughts : — yet, rove they now ? 

Are they not true (tho' seeming to float free) 



SPRING LOITERINGS BY WOOD CREEK. 403 



To the controlling and pervading glow 

Of Love's mysterious fire ? as birds that range 

In the wide fields and woods to find 

Wherewith to gladden their dear nests, still pant 

With yearning love of those they've seemed to leave. 

Within this deeper shade, and by this trunk 

Enormous with the growth of ages past, 

Let us amid this scene of curtained pomp 

Our footsteps check awhile : Hearest not above 

The tapping of the wood-pecker at work 

On dead and topmost boughs ? The dapper wren 

With his light, trilling song and restless life 

Forsakes awhile his nest in the mossy fence 

To watch for insects haunting damp and shade. 

Beneath the tangled thicket coped by firs 

And a crowd of hemlocks young, that rustling tread 

Which now you hear, betrays the partridge. There, 

Now alarmed, she fears to build her nest, 

And meditates to spread her whirring wings 

For forest sanctuaries unprofaned 

Where the tall reeds wave by the reeking fens. 

And interlacing ferns gemmed with the blaze 

Of crimson cardinals and the amethyst-light 

Of the fringed gentian nodding o'er the ooze 

Unite to canopy and screen her haunts. 

Once more, before we leave this charming scene, 
Beside this murmuring brook let us repose ; 
The moving picture of its surface scan. 



404 HYMNINGS AND ASPIRATIONS. 

And learn a lesson. On its hurrying tide 
But brief and broken images of heaven shine, 
Save where in yonder cove-like nook the calm, 
Like twilight, sacred contemplation, mirrors forth 
The higher world of glory and of grace. 
Thus may our life be stilled in many a lull, 
Not whirled in restless eagerness that knows 
No peaceful meditation on the world Divine, 
But tranquil ized and lit with visions oft 
Which with the hues of heavenly promise beam ! 



HYMNINGS AND ASPIRATIONS. 

The Earth is beautiful ; but to the stars, 

The boundless world of sky spread out above, 

Spring up my thoughts, as birds fly up or sparks 

Ascend to spangle the blue robe of heaven. 

"Vain, vain are now Earth's ties, the poAver 

She breathes upon my soul from field and flood. 

From wave-swept shores, or from the shade and calm 

(Music and Poetry in stillness veiled) 

Of the grand forests ! Up to thee, my God, 

My aspirations now ascend ; and drinks my soul, 

Expanding, in the infinite sublime, 

Slaking its yearnings in commune with Thee. 



HYMNINGS AND ASPIRATIONS. 406 

Ye soaring clouds majestical, and clad 

In sombre mantles lined with silvery furs, — 

Mantles that erst have robed the Deity ! 

Ye mighty winds, that speed upon your way 

Unseen, like Time or angels in their flight ; 

And bear the melodies of Art and gush 

Of wood-notes sweet and odors of the fields, 

The grateful offering of Nature fair ; 

While voiceful hymns ye breathe of Liberty ; 

Ye eagles, soaring in your pride of power 

And freedom chainless ; and ye birds of prey 

And waterfowl in long, careering line 

Panting for unseen shores and grassy strands ; 

Far, far above ye, soars my kindling thought ! 

He, who beneath this vast, blue, vaulted fane. 

With the admiring love of mysteries. 

Enters with wisdom's musings, should not halt 

Till in the innermost sanctum, as High Priest 

In Nature's temple, he adores ; and o'er his eye, 

Meekly in reverence dropped, there stream the rays 

Of that mysterious glory reigning there, 

And on his soul its still, small voicings breathe. 

Unseen of fleshly sense, but living Light, 

Sourceless and quenchless, in commune with Thee 

The spirit's dignity and peace are found ! 

Up to the triumph of Thy fellowship 

Lift up our souls, as eagles bear their young, 

Or as the mighty winds lift up Heaven's veil 

Of light and gossamer clouds far towards the Sun. 



406 HYMNINGS AND ASPIRATIONS. 

Joy, joy is theirs, the noble, half-divine, 

Who with souls purified ascend and hold 

Believing, worshipful commune with God ! 

They are the high, rejoicing stars of earth, 

Discoursing harmony fit for deathless ears ; 

Compeers of angels ; their etherial fire 

And princely stateliness of worth and soul 

Prefiguring on the earth ; the blossoms fine 

And fragrantest of fruit of seraph beauty 

That the bowers and gardens of the skies 

Doth richly grace. Adore and joy with them. 

Rise to the height of this great fellowship : 

Rise, spirit, weary with life's arid care. 

As springs some languid wing from heat and dust 

To bathe in skyey springs, 'mid freshest dews ; 

Rise in Truth's sunlit atmosphere ; 

Soar towards the Fountain of your heaven-born fire, 

As flames of wind-tost pines that burn 

By lightning kindled ; mount aloft and breathe 

Your incense into favoring skies above : 

Mount now that ye may mount forever more : 

Rise, soul, and tell the seraphs near the Throne 

A child of earth sublimely seeks its God, 

And with their heavenly wreaths of praise would bind 

Some incense-breathing leaves and blooms from Earth. 



ENSLAVED TO CORRUPTION. 



" "While they promise them liberty, they are themselves the servants of 
corraption." 



Not in the sunny South alone, 
Or in the Czar's wide realm and there, 
Only can slaves to us be shown ; 
They live and move among us here. 

Here, in our Northern climes, beneath 
Our pure and healthful Northern skies. 
Still more degraded thralls do breathe, 
Enslaved to ultra theories :• 

Enslaved to passions strong and fierce 
And impulse reasonless, tho' these, 
While Truth they rack and wrest and pierce. 
They name as holy liberties. 

Such liberty's licentious rage, 
The fuming folly of mere slaves 
Who trample down the gospel's page, 
That highest law which guides and saves. 

Warts growing on a lovely face ; 

The wire-worm gnawing 'mid the rose ; 



408 EXSLAVED TO CORRUPTION. 



A poison dropt into the vase 

That with the nectared wine o'erflows ; 

A rankling counterfeit, dim, gross 
Beside the silvery coinage bright, — 
Such, to sound zeal for Freedom, shows 
Their wretched raid 'gainst truth and right. 

Her holiest breath the soul sets free 
Prom sin's degrading, blighting chain ; 
A faithful, loving reverence, she 
Inspires for Law's majestic reign. 

Truth smiling with celestial love. 
Sweet with her holy words of peace, 
Her mission from above doth prove 
And gently bids Earth's evils cease. 

The rough and boastful winds essayed 
To move th' embedded rock in vain ; 
The gentle streamlet flowed and bade 
The rock, dislodged, to seek the plain. 

Gently the Gospel wears away 

The errors and the ills of old ; 

And then unbars, 'mid Heaven's bright day, 

To Freedom's climes, her gates of gold. 



THE 



GUESTS OF BRAZIL, 



MARTYRDOM OF FREDERICK. 



A TRAGEDY 



TO ERASTUS CLARK, ESQ., OF T7TICA, N. Y. 

Dear E., 

As dedications are not yet obsolete, I have inscribed this work to you. 
It was written four or five years since. I deem it scarce fit for the stage. 
It lacks incident in parts. Here and there, to'o, the rhythm is rude ; 
though sometimes intentionally so. Do not scan it very critically, but 
accept it as my faint acknowledgment of that " love which passetlx the 
love of woman." If it adds a mite to the poetry of the world, to the plea- 
sure of one single heart, or thereby to the honor of the Author of mind, it 
shall UQt have been written in vain. 

Yours, afiectionately, 
1844. GURDON HUNTINGTON. 



TO E. CLARK, ESa. 



I. 

This book shall mind us of our former love, 

And is, my long-tried friend, inscribed to thee ; 

Though our strong intimacy needs, we see, 
No rivet in its lengthening chains, — above, 

I trust, Time's keen, corroding breath. But we 
Will, by this page, remember we did prove, 

Alike, the strength of nature ; in wild glee. 
Bidding both sense and thought to freely rove 

In pleasures which the wise in caution taste,* 
And the chill raptures of the high sublime ; 

Till the worn life did falter where it rac'd 
In feverish youth. And now in earlier time, 

The mortal sister of immortal love, sweet Health, 

Hath poured on thee inestimable wealth. 

II. 

And I do woo her smiles with pleading zeal, 
And feel at times the air to blandly stir, 

* This passage must be understood to imply only those imprudencies, 
neglects and mental excitements which induce a decline of nervous energy 
not unfrequent with students. 



414 DEDICATORY 



With the near impulse of her pinion's whir, — 
Though she her rosy fount doth not unseal ; 
Beloved not only for the joy we feel, 

But for that vigor which may not demur, 

For principle's high crusade, as it were. 
To panoply our souls in blazing steel. 

For what, with its true majesty can vie ? 
Can Georgia's massive oaks of fadeless green ; — 

Or ice-coned mountains, glorying in the sky, — 
Or monarchs on their warlike chargers seen 

Rushing to battle, with vindictive eye. 
And prophecies of triumph in their mien ? 

III. 
With his fierce, blasting fires shall Death consume 

The beauty of the tree, and lay it low ; 

And the ice-spires of the vast hills shall glow. 
In time, no more with morning's loveliest bloom,— 
But find in ocean's caves their rayless tomb. 

On War's stern glories shall oblivion blow, 

And they shall sink in darkness ; and the foe 
Shall wrap all living in his voiceless gloom. 

But principles shall die not ; they partake 
The greatness and eternity of God ; 

The blasts that unto dust our being shake. 
Their pure, celestial vigor wing abroad, — 

And our freed souls triumphant then shall slake 
Their thirst in glories unto which they soared. 



DEDICATORY. 415 



IV. 

He that with persevering foot shall reach 
The skyey bound of yonder arduous hill, 
Its barriers scaling with unfaltering will, 

Shall need no heavenly breath his soul to teach 

The stir of joy sublime that doth impeach 
The paradise the Prophet feign'd. His bill, 
That drinks from out the thunder-clouds that spill 

Their lightnings 'round him in the awful breach, 
Screams with the rapture of no loftier joy. 

Yet who up Principle's bright Alps hath soared, 
Though Passion's battlings did his soul employ, 

Sublimer shall his spirit stream abroad ; 

Its temptings deem'd superfluous, he shall cry, 

Strike from the list the awards of heaven, God ! 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 

CORINN^US. 

EusTiN — in Enthusiast. 

Sebastian — A Brazilian Priest, and a highly ambitious 

Conspirator. 
Sabino — A Priest. 

Festino — A Brazilian of wealth and rank. 
GoNSALYO — One of his household. 
Attendants, ^x. 
Amina — Daughter of Festino. 

The Seem of the, Drama is on the coast of Brazil. 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 



Act I. — Scene I. 

An apartment in the mansion of Festino ; a casement opens 
upon faintly-illumined darkness. Festino returning from 
the halcony. 

Festino, {solus.) 

The storm has ceased, — but still the dismal clouds 
And darkness starless hover in the sky. 
For a long time the surge will hoarsely fret, 
And to the blackness of the hideous night 

The waves will fling defiance, and will find 

* 
No hour as yet for rest. 

[Enter Amina.) 

Welcome ! Amina dear : 
Despondency, my love, is weighing down 
My soul most heavily. And yet I think 
I would not wish the sadness gone. I'd hear 
From you a mournful song. Ah, sadly well 
Remember I the night your mother died ! 
(May Heaven give rest to her angelic soul !) 
The night was dense, like this, and loud the sea 
27 



418 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

Roared on the coast of rocks. She took the lute, 

And in a feeling tone breathed feebly forth 

A strain which touched my soul. You know its words ; 

Pray sing, — ^^while sympathizing with its strain, 

I hear a heightened roar of waves — 

{In a subdued, contemplative tone.) 

Those lions wandering o'er the desert sea, 
In search of argosies as prey. 

Amina, {singing.) 

The brightly-golden hush of day 
Has long becharmed our waking hours ; 

And to the silence of the Past — 
Unwet by Grief's tumultuous showers — 

Weeks have flown by. They're gone ! they're gone ! 

All bathed in light as from the sun. 

(Their struggling stars and conquering moons 

Beguiled thee forth, and in the night 
Made visible thy form, young Love ! 

And touched thy arrow-points with light, 
From moonbeams ravished, — as refined, 
As strangely maddening to the mind ; 

Thou hast been in the pomps which glare 

Round Pleasure' throne, where virgins dance ; 

In music's soft, empyreal air, 
Have souls, enkindled by thy glance, 

Flashed out in that bewildering look. 

Which youth hath not the power to brook.) 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 419 

But now ! how many are the woes, 

Which load the flight of every hour, — 
And Heaven and Earth command repose 

To flee from Love's flower-paved bower. 
The Earthquake heaves ; at every shock, 
Tumultuously the billows rock. 

Blood floweth here, smoke darkens there, 

And wrecks are wafted to the strand ; 
While in the sky the sun's red glare 

Betokens horrors yet more grand ; 
Vengeance is marching through the earth ; 
She treads ; and agonies have birth. 

(Quenched is the bliss which lately caused 

The heart of youth to softly quake ; 
And darkness fills the sumptuous hall, 

Save when the fires of battle break 
In ghastly splendor o'er the rooms, 
Emblazed with gold, yet wrapt in glooms ; — 

Save when the mountain-summits shake 

With the volcano's vaulting surge ; — 
Save when upon the ocean break 

The bolts from storms which madly urge 
The war-ship on, — confused and tost. 
Rock-shivered, groaning, sinking, lost ; — 

Save when the lightning strikes the mast, 
And fires the vessel " in its spleen," 



420 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

And flames are freshening in the blast 

Which drives them towards the magazine, 
That, while the doomed and hopeless yell, 
Gluts the wild skies with types of hell.j 

when again shall come the hour, 
All choral with the hymns of peace — 

Sweet with her blandly-healing power. 
Which sheds, when tumults sinking cease, 

A balm and witchery and light. 

O'er the soul's wounds, its griefs and night. 

Oh ! come, delicious moments ! come. 
With all your pageantries and joys, — 

The bounding of the dancing girls. 
The music of the minstrel-boys, — 

The blush, the vow, the blood-felt bliss 

Of woman's love and bridal kiss. 

{Enter Gonsalvo and others.) 

GONSALVO to FeSTINO. 

Signer, while we were wandering on the coast. 
With lanterns searching for the effects of wrecks 
Which might be tossed to land, we heard a groan ; 
And drawing nigh beheld — a man ; the light 
Disclosed him weltering in the surge :— yet life 
Was not quite gone. With feeble voice, he spake 
And prayed assistance. It was given. We chafed 
His cold, white brow and bore him here. 
And couched him near the fire ; its warmth, we trust. 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 421 

Will yet persuade his doubtful soul to stay, — 
Cheating the phantom Death of his marked prey. 

Festino. 

Found you him yet alive and did not search 
Around for others whom the wasting surge, 
Struck with a pang of pity, may have thrown 
Gently and living to the sand ? (To Am.) Stay here, 
My daughter, and in heart give fervent thanks 
To favoring saints, (if favoring there be,) 
"Who may have snatched this victim that hath fall'n 
A suflf 'rer 'mid the strife and strength of seas. 

To GONSALVO.) 

Gonsalvo, fly for medical relief, — 

Swift as the winds ; yea, shame their wing'd despatch. 

Exit Gonsalvo. 

(To the other attendants.) 

Show us forthwith the saved, and let us try 
All means which lie within our grasp. 

Exeunt all save Amina. 
Amina {sola.) 
On such a night as this my mother died ; 
Here stood her couch, — here, too, the kneeling priest 
Plead against the hoarse voice of the grave, which call'd 
Her frame to slumber in its breathless glooms. 
Here the last unction sanctified her eyes, 
Hallowed so oft before by tears and smiles 
Affectionately sweet ; methinks the worms 



422 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

Themselves would pause, like one who falters pale 
While plundering a chapel of a cross 
Of sainted gold. That dismal evening quenched 
A smile which ne'er shall shine on me again ; 
And, in the world around, no warm pulse throbs 
In love's prized unison with mine. 

* * * I cannot ask the tomb 
To yield me back the treasure it hath stol'n 
From out these arms ; she rests above, I trust, — 
And who'd now wish " to unsphere " her sainted soul 1 
Let peace be hers ! Of her sad going hence, 
The anniversary again has come — 
This night, with its black scowl ! I pray Maria, 
Mother of God's Son, that this wild night 
May bring one who may fill, and more than fill 
The place of the departed blest ; alas ! 
This is too fond — too rapturous a hope ; 
It cannot be. Cease, cease, impatient heart : 
Break, or be still. 

Act I. — Scene XL 

Interior of an anteroom to a chapel ; Sabino is discovered upon 
a hammock, asleep. Enter Sebastian, who approaches and 
gazes vpon the other. 

Sebastian. 

His eyes are closed in sleep. Would that I knew 

How I could wake courageous thoughts 

Within the sleeper's mind ; some means whereby 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 423 

I might dispel the tameness there {pointing to Sab. ;) 

That he might then co-operate with mo 

In the bold mint where we might melt the ore 

Of our desire to bright resolves, and coin 

Resolves into achievements noble, stamp'd 

With affluence and dignity and name. 

This life doth weary me to death, — this hush, 

The quiet of this dull and common breath ! 

Our life is ore ; grandeur and fame within 

Lie hid ; when all the state is fiercely rock'd, 

With some volcanic outbreak to be charged, — 

Then in the heat of tumult, change, and war. 

We might burn out the splendor of a name 

Which would pass current through the mighty crowd 

And buy our entrance to firm scats of power. 

What if our mind bo grosser still, a rock — 

A stone — or earth; war (which in this hot realm 

Of fickleness and guilt, a fool may raise 

Without a wizard's craft) war is, 'tis clear, 

An alchymist, omnipotent, and strange, 

Who turns the dust to sceptres and to stars, 

The wonder of an age, — and in the cup, 

With royalty and triumph jewell'd fair, 

The elixir gives of immortality 

In fame that laughs at time ! 

{To Sabino.) 

I would I could 
Awake thee, man, — from thy far deeper sleep ! 
Would that I could upon thy mind, which seems 



424 ' THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

As cold and passionless as glass, engrave 
With force the burning creed of glory, thrones 
And POWER. Now in its depths, the dreams 
Of empire are indeed but dimly glassed, 
Without effect, " as on the impassive ice, 
The lightnings play." 

{Awakes him.) 

Awake, Sabino, — rouse thee, man. Hast heard 
The news to-D ight '? 

Sabino {arousing himself.) 

The news ? of what ? explain ! 

Sebast. 
It argues well for us. The storm is spent — 
But it has washed two bodies to the shore. 

Sabino. 
Living, or lost 1 

Sebast. 

At first, it doubtful seemed, — 
And I in haste was called to Festin's house 
To give some ghostly consolations there 
Unto the two, who seemed to have a leg 
Lowering toward Purgatory's flame. But strength, 
When all restoratives were tried, revived. 
One stared at me, and seemed to say by look, 
" You are an arrant rogue ; pray, get you gone !" 
He said it not ; 'twas well ; I might have pressed 
A smothering hand most lovingly and soothed 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 425 

Him quietly to death upon the spot, then mourn'd 
The strange capriciousness of life that flared 
From out its damp and dimness but to sink 
When all seemed promising and fair. 

Sabino. 
Your words are uttered but in jest, I hope ? 
Sebastian. 

Now, to the point ! In truth these men appear 

Of noble stature in the soul. One hath an eje 

From which as from a palace gazes forth 

Determination, valor, mind, and zeal ; 

His brow 's for th' solemn pressure fit of crowns 

Fraught with the lustres of great deeds : 

His is a face commanding in its mien ; 

Of power, the magic signature is there. 

To which the multitude must helpless give 

Obedience of soul and hand. 

Sabino. 

'Tis well ; 
But what is that to us ? Is he some king ? 
Or some high liege whose subjects are, in truth. 
Innumerable diamonds and pearls ? 
If so, — by all attention in this hour, 
(Loaded with wretchedness and grief to him,) 
And by persuasion, we may gather in 
A competency from his aflSuence. 

Sebastian. 
'Tis true, all true ; but more : his wealth, I ween, 
Is of the mind. While he so helpless lay, 



426 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL 



Unsealed letters from his person fallen, 

I saw upon the floor : a curious glance 

I naturally gave them ; by the fire 

I saw their import ; tempted then, I read 

The most of several. He, it seems, stands high 

In men's esteem in England. Civil power, 

E'en in their parliament, and influence strong 

I saw that he'd possessed : And not a few, 

I judged from those epistles, looked towards him 

As to one, fit, in popular movements bold, 

To shake the strength of institutions old. 

And with the mighty charms of eloquence 

To sway the multitude. One confessed 

That if some great and perilous hour of change 

Should come upon their land, his eye to him 

"Would turn as unto one whom Hope might claim 

As formed for wondrous deeds. And hence I deem 

His aid worth much. His boldness, cunning, nerve. 

May bring the means to charge th' uncertain State, 

With all its jealous vigilance and strength ; 

By some manoeuvre shrewd, — by nimble deeds 

Darkened and cloaked from mortal eye, these hands 

May strike ignition, and explosion grand 

To the whole kingdom 'round. Then, instant, we 

May, with one subtle touch, our pathway blast 

Through the great mountains that do now oppose, 

Clear to the bright-gemm'd centre of high rank ; 

The glance of his keen eye, or th' fires that drop 

From his stern lips may, in the moment true, 

The train to this bright sovereignty ignite. 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 427 



Sabino. 

You dream ; for ever and for ever do you dream ! 

Sebastian {aside.) 

"Ah, he knows not that great conspiracy 
Which only waits an unmasked head ! 

(To Sab.) 

Good friend, 
Know'st not, that if we sleep, we should but dream ? 
Methinks there should not be a sleep without ; 
If visions sumptuous and daring flash 
Throughout the lazy clouds of slumber dense, 
Our sleep will soon be broken. 

We've not slept 
But we have long been dead j but now I hear 
The voice of the Archangel Fame, who calls 
With a mighty trump.* And if I read, or kneel, 
Or walk, or chant, or sleep, — I hear around 
The awakening echoings of his thunder-shout j 
And if we spring at once from out the grave 
And company of worms to manliest life, 
The stars will fall from out the rocking sky 
Of the Brazilian State, and we may rise 
Upon the wings of lofty deeds, — to tread 
As gods in glory whence their ranks have sunk. 
I thirst for skies not feigned. 

{Flings down a cross from his neck.) 

Sabino. 
Blasphemer ! cease ! 

* See note B. 



428 the guests op brazil. 

Sebastian. 
You are convinced, it seems, that all our creed 
Is not delusion then ? Well, be it so ! 
We know that much, at least, is air ; and yet 
It is an air which brings to those who inhale, 
A dull intoxication and a sleep, — 
So one can lead them, as he chooses best, 
T' advance his cause. The solemn sorcery 
Let no one break. {Aside.) If broken, we are lost ! 

{To Sab.) 
I must hold converse with the shipwrecked two, 
And cunningly must guage their powers, their mind, 
Searching their aims. Perchance it may be found 
Their aid may bring a key to us whose shape 
May fit the complex lock which sternly bolts 
(As it' for ever closed) the gates august 
To majesty and glory in the land. 

End of Act I. 



Act II. — Scene I. 

A sumptuous bed'Toom in the mansion of Festino. Eustin 
is discovered sitting in a large easy-chair, in the loose-dress 
of an invalid. 

Eustin. 

Can it be possible the hand of Heaven 
Presses me on my course 1 Methought the flush 
And flow'r and summer of my soul was bleached 
To bleak and desolate winter, sternly iced 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 429 

With apathy for aye ; and that the leaves 

Of genial sympathy, thrice dead, were fall'n, 

Leaving the nakedness of self and scorn ; 

But now a voice, soft as the cuckoo's note 

Which wakes the flowers, has floated o'er my soul ; 

The ice of my indifference dissolves, 

And the new Spring, may, brightening, smother yet 

The sterile principles of selfishness, 

Misanthropy and pride, with Love's most sweet 

Luxuriance and fruits. 0, come, — renew. 

Soft hours of purity and bliss ! your hopes, 

Your paradise, and smile ! — Come, yet again. 

From exile in eternity the past, 

Back, dove-like flying 'gainst the stream of time, 

In innocency white, — diffusing 'round 

The music of content and peace. Alas ! 

Would I could stifle thought ! — that I might now 

All uncreate this skepticism, and the ache 

Of fretfulness it shoots throughout this brain ! 

This Corinnasus, by a mocking chance, 

Seems now and then like one whose very name 

Should burn my lip ; he seems a bodied curse, 

A memory incarnate, doomed to haunt,— 

To stifle peace and prompt a deed of blood.* 

{Enter Amina.) 
Amina. 
I would entreat your pardon, honored Sir, 
For this intrusion ; yet I trust th' excuse 
(An interest in your welfare) will suffice ? 

• Note C. 



430 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

EUSTIN. 

Araina ! If I freely thus may now 

Your name pronounce, — believe me, when I say 

Your ministry has touched my very heart. 

You fully cannot feel how eloquent 

The consolation of that voice and watching 

Which you bestowed, as torpidly I lay 

Awaking from my trance. 

Amina. 

Good Sir, your tones 
Repay the kindness I have given. A sleep 
Has now composed the stranger who, with you, 
Was rescued from the waves. Pray, may I hope 
That all which we have done may not have failed 
To make your comfort and relief complete ? 

EUSTIN. 

Your father and yourself have giv'n strong proofs 

Of your nobility and worth. For years 

Long past, I never thus have known a gift 

Of kindness which I thought sincere. But now 

I could not doubt the goodness which hath watch'd 

Above my feeble couch. Your kindness wooed 

Departed health back to this sinking frame j 

More equably its pulse beats now, than ere 

It beat for years before. It were neglect 

If I did not with warmth give thanks. 

{Kneels and kisses her hand.) 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 431 

Amina {^slightly withdrawing.^ 
Good Sir, 
May I request the history of your wreck, 
And of the purposes with which you left 
Your home for this far clime 1 

EUSTIN. 

Maiden, I fear 
That I should forfeit your esteem, if now 
I should reveal my life, with its strange thoughts 
(It was not rife with deeds.') Yet if confide 
I may, I'll briefly speak : 

Soft as the eye 
Of a young seraph when in prayer, arose 
The morning of my life. My youth was spent 
In gentleness and joy. Then manhood came. 
The bounty of a father (now no more) 
Had stored my mind with learning, and with zeal 
Still further on to press in wisdom's chase. 
In poetry, a paradise I found 
In which to riot as a bird among 
The fairy bowers of Spring. I eager sought 
To reach a station in the State, — to find 
Employment for the powers which Taste 
And Science had refined. I sought to strive 
In the foray of thought ; — into the lists 
Of eloquence to vault, and try my lance 
Amid her dazzling chivalry. 
At home, a bride, most tenderly beloved, 
Fed, lived upon my name, as 'twere in truth 



432 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 



Ambrosial fruit. Life flowed like wine 

Press'd from the vintage of the skies ; as drops, — 

Its moments with the perfect image beamed 

Of pure content and love. Existence seemed 

A shell, the ocean of celestial life 

Had given, to mimic here the tumult soft 

Of sympathies and pleasures pure above. 

Amina. 
And was that being lost in your late wreck 1 

EusTiN {gloomily.) 

Her soul was wrecked, — but years have passed since then. 

A comrade (older than myself,) whose mind 

Delighted in the subtleties of thought, 

In questions fine of right and law, and all 

The entangled webs of sophistry, and maze 

Of inquiry and doubt, — entered my home. 

He had cut loose from all restraint, and deemed 

There were no lines betwixt the right and wrong. 

And while he did propound his curious views 

Of life and death, — of spirit, mind and sense, — 

I gave attention close. The faith till then 

I knew in peace and hope, dissolved away. 

Perplexity and anxious doubt and strife 

Fill'd all my mind — I found no rest, scarce sleep. 

Bad spirits seemed to whisper in my dreams 

And prompted dreadful thoughts ; peace died -, I felt 

But faintly in my breast the love I bore 

Once fondly to my bride ; my altered look 

Chill'd through her heart — 

{PaiLses.') 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 433 

Amina (hesitating.) 

And did she not 
Most anxiously search out the cause, and give 
The comfort of devotion trebled, — yea, 
And more, that she might win back your mind 
To its first purity and joys ? 

EUSTIN. 

Alas! 
She did not ; — else I were not here ; — her life 
Had not been added to grief's chronicles, — 
Nor from " the page " of Hope her " name torn out ;" 

[With an air of self-communion.) 
Perhaps no voice had followed me, and cried 
" There is no rest for thee !" Perchance the light — 

Amina. 

Your words are scorpions to my soul. Proceed, 
I thirst, yet dread, to hear the rest. 

BusTiN {with a heart-broken look.) 
The rest ? 
'Tis briefly told. When I was absent, one 
Whose name I never can exorcise won 
Her trust, if not affection ; — and that trust 
Abused, and fled. Her shame — my anger — wrung 
Her mind to madness, and she died. I felt 
The last spark of kind feeling quickly sink 
To ashes in my heart, when I resigned 
Her form to dust. He who drew forth and wove 
My infinite of woe, has not been seen 
28 



434 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

For years. His face I ne'er again shall see. 
Ask not his name — 'tis fraught with treachery. 

Amina. 

Would that I could one pang dissolve of those 
Whose bitterness hath curdled up your peace — 

EusTiN {with gloomy energy.) 

And shrunk my recollections of the past 
To one grim brand of injury and pain. 

Amina. 
Would that a gift of mine by word or hand 
Could with oblivion anoint the keen idea 
Of wretchedness you feel. 

BUSTIN. 

Your earnest words are words miraculous, 
That re-awaking faith, are strong to heal 
The pain that palsied me. I kneel and say 
That if I may not love, I do adore. 

Amina. 
kneel not unto me. There's one above, — 
The blest Maria — who doth live to heal. 
Kneel thou to her, and she will hear and bless. 

EuSTiN {rising.) 

Believe it not ; it is a tale, — her soul 
Knows not its own existence (if it lives ;) 
Yea, knows no presence even in that air 
Sweet with the incense of her mysteries. 



the guests of brazil. 435 

Amina. 

You shock my ears ! You do not truly mean 
What you have said ! And do I pray in vain ? 

( With an anxious smile half certain of triumph.) 
Oh no ! I'm sure I'm heard : — for your return, 
I asked, from the dim land where shadows dwell, — 
And you're returned ! 

The stranger with you saved 
(For whom I grieve to say no prayer was made) 
Sat long upon the trembling verge where light 
Is faint, and life and death eternally 
In feebleness conflict ; — 

EUSTIN. 

Then be it so ; 
Believe that I believe. 

Amina. 
Your language is 
A mystery to me. 

EUSTIN. 

The stranger whom 
The storm, with me, gave living to the land, 
Is " Corinnseus," who appears to guard 
Some dark and terrible secret in his mind ; 
But as for you, — your earnest heart 
Hath been an angel stirring in those waves 
Wherein, I feel, my soul descending finds 
Deliverance from its deformity. 
Its palsy, and its dust. 



436 the guests of brazil. 

Amina. 
Then T am blest. 

EUSTIN. 

" Blest " did you say ? {earnestly) I do believe, — I yield 
Most solemn faith to the sweet creed of — Love ! 

( Takes her hand.) 

Amina. 

My father wishes to see you at this hour, 
And with the bearers has returned at length. 

EUSTIN. 

I go with you to meet him. 

{Exeunt.) 



Act II. — Scene II.^ 
{Another Room. Enter CoRiNNiEUS.) 

CORINN^US. 

Never, oh never can I break my vow, 
Again tread in his path, and plant a thorn 
In his breast already tortured by my guilt 
Too late lamented. I do feel, — / know, — 
I'm sure, he cannot the enchantment brook 
Which lightens from her eyes. And shall I now, 
When I have followed him with anxiousness. 
Longing to pay, though faintly it may be, 
The debt of satisfaction which I owe, — 
JVow shall I add a venom to the curse ? 
No, Eustin, no. I'll strive to still at once 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 437 

The throbs of this new rivalry ; — Esteem 
For her will cherish — but beyond it naught. 

{Enter Amina.) 

Amina. 

Good Sir, may I inquire your health ? Has all 
Which can be done, been done 1 

CoRlNN-aJUS {wUh admiration.) 
I could not point 
Another kindness which your care could give ; 
We owe a thousand thanks to you, — to all. 
Amina ! (if I thus familiarly 
May sweet the grateful air inspire,) I'd bid 
Thy gentle ears an audience give. A tale 
For thee alone I have ; 'tis eloquent. 
And passionate, and true. 

Amina. 

Oh speak ; I joy 
To hear the tales of true romance, — of times, 
That, with the glittering touch of hoary age 
And chivalry and love, beam from afar. 
But, may be, 'tis a tale of thine own life 1 — 

CoRiNN^us {starting.) 
Of mine own life ! Oh ! horror ! ask it not ! 
Ask me to tell you of the hideous caves 
That moonlight dare not lighten with her beams ; 
Where, for their bloody spoils, fierce plunderers fight, — 
And the gaunt wolf, that stalks at midnight forth, 
Shrinks back in terror from the fiery clash. 



438 the guests op brazil. 

Amina. 
What may you mean ? Think'st thou I burn to list 
The deeds of horror that the darkness court ? 

CoRiNN^us {aside.) 
I must not yield ! And yet how sweet her voicBj 
With breath of opening buds bedewed ! But why 
Should I to Eustin sacrifice my claim ? 
Doth he not gravely meet my smiles, 
His goodness mantling in a mien severe? 

{To Amina. 

The tale I'd tell is now enacting here, 

{Placing his hand on his breast.) 
With changeful conflict of glad hopes, sad fears, 
And longings ardent — pure ; but with his soft 
And delicate control. Love conquers all. 

(Amina shrinks coyly.) 

{Aside.) 

Die, glorious hopes ! I must not love ! I'll rise 
In magnanimity oi self-control ; 
And that pure consciousness shall rain a flood 
Of richer happiness than love. 

{To Amina.). 

Shrink not 
At that delightful word, the sweetest far 
That ever blest the listening ear ; for " Love," 
Now on my lip, is but a synonyme 
For friendship. Wilt thou listen now ? 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 439 



{Convent bell tolls.) 

But hark ! 
What summons this 1 

Amina, 

It is vespers, Sir ; 
A kind adieu ! 

{Exit Amina.) 

CORINN^US. 

Amina ! I've deceived thee ; stay ! His love 

Entreats most passionately. {Listening.) She has gone ! 

What said I ? weakness ! that my heart should fail ! 

Yet how resistless are her eyes ! her face 

Engaging as the halls of Love when airs 

(His voice is music) do forbid the touch 

Of mortal minstrelsy to vie. 

{Pauses and meditates.) 
How hard, 
When the young manhood rules the elastic pulse, 
To bar the soul 'gainst Love's sweet, melting beams ! 
When business, or care, or sorrow reigns, 
How dark and prison-like and sick the mind. 
Unless that soothing angel touch with light 
The uncongenial thought. 'Tis bitterness 
To picture bright within our mind's clear glass 
The glory and divinity of Love ; 
To know his seraph beauty, and his depth 
And power and eloquence of bliss, and yet 
To feel the stern decree of fate or chance 



440 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

Shut from our famished souls these fruits of heaven ! 

From pleasures else, yes, all, men's hearts have turned, 

Unsatisfied and palled. The victor's wreath. 

The rich man's banquet ; yea, the eternal hymn 

Which hails the poet's triumph, all have failed. 

But Love, in purest and in gifted souls refined. 

Has won the welcome of perennial smiles ; 

His gold, a dazzling purity confessed ; 

Chief coiner in the mints of happiness ! 

The veins run nectar where " his breath hath blown " 

And sun-loved curls have waved ; and where he glides, 

The grosser passions and the woes of life 

Do swoon as mortals when a god appears. 

Amid the heaven and brightness of his presence 

Lost, eclipsed, consumed. 

Ah ! well, I ween, 

Elysian frankincense, they say, perfumes 

The tear-dewed silence of his twilight fane. 

Oh ! by my soul, how hard, how trying hard ! 

To shut my heart against her voice ! But yet, 

I must not yield ; I'll never crown the bowl. 

So fraught with madness, which I pressed long since 

Upon a brother's lips. No, Eustin, no ! 

I will replace, if possible, the peace, 

Which, brooding as a seraph in your breast. 

Was startled thence by my curs'd voice and deeds. 

{Exit.) 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 441 

Act II.— Scene III. 
{Apartment in the house of Festino. Enter Sebastian and 

EUSTIN.) 

Sebastian. 
Now that through our assistance you have leapt 
To the firm soil of health, I pray that you 
Will give a brief description of the storm 
Which smote your vessel to a wreck. The waves 
Never before, methinks, did strive so hard, 
Upon the shore, to mock the thunders. 

EUSTIN. 

With winds that did most tenderly coquette 

With our full sails and flag, we left the port. 

Briskly, ere long, the waves danced forth, — the shrouds 

Began to shrilly sing their wild notes out 

To every blast. And swiftly we flew toward 

The Mediterranean Sea as bound. 

Just as Gibraltar loomed in sight, the wind 

As though it had been checked — as if its rush 

Had bent on towards a point forbidden, ceased ; 

And whirled to the Northeast. At night it blew, 

And we were driven. And helpless seemed all hands ; 

All courage weak. For near one week it flew. 

Blasting and glooming wildly by, — as though 

Commissioned to drive forth the usurping sea 

Which like a type of tyranny did brood 

Nearly o'er all the globe. I would have dreamed 

The symbol marked, and such the errand grand 



442 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

Of the indignant storm, if, eagle-led, 

It had rushed down from that northwestern clime, 

Where sleepless Freedom her Columbia guards. 

Frequent the wind did shift, but further still 

It blew us from our coast. Towards your fair clime 

Our helmsman bent the prow ; for here, it seems 

Did business invite, — tho' not till their return 

They'd purposed to drop anchor by your shores. 

After respite, a dark and furious gale 

One evening rushed again from the East and roused 

The ocean's slumbering wrath. The storm-clouds raged 

As messengers of doom. Our hopes again 

Grew faint and sick ; and many wept, and wailed 

Aloud their fears, and prayed. A shock ! — and 'round 

Tumultuously dashed the shiver'd timbers. 

And the waves triumphant rolled. But firmly clasped 

To a floating beam, I heard no shout, — save once, 

The cry of a departing soul ! The sea 

Still whitely boiled. Benumbed and weak, I felt 

At last the sand, but had no strength to rise — 

You know the rest. 

Sebastian. 

To some kind saint, of course, 
Yoti do ascribe your rescue from the deep. 
I do remember now, upon that day 
I did beseech St. Catherine to save, — 
If any should be wrecked ; — 'tis fit that you 
Some ample ofiering to her shrine should make 
For this salvation manifest from her. 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 443 

EUSTIN. 

Good father ! il am poor, save in good will, 
A treasure newly found. You feel, of course, 
A zeal and firm belief in what you say ; 
But I still think my heartiest thanks are due 
To that strong fragment of the wreck whereon 
I floated to the shore. 

Sebastian. 

My ears are shocked, 
My son, to hear such levity from you, — 
While yet the saint is smiling o'er the soul 
Of which she cheated the remorseless surge. 

EUSTIN. 

Father, I would I had thy zeal and faith. {Musing.) 

Sebastian, (aside.) 

I wish you had as much, full seventy times ; 

I'd mould you like a lump of pliant wax 

To our great purposes and ends. (ToEus.) My son, 

I fear you this impiety may rue, 

And that, to punish your ingratitude, 

The saint above may yet withdraw her smile, 

Through which alone you now feel vigorous health. 

Pray, whither did you tend, when storms * 

Emptied their horrid glooms upon your way, 

And balked the purposes you held ? I'm sure 

Some power above the forces of the air 

Has driven you hither for good. 



444 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 



EUSTIN. 

In the far East, • 

I had resolved to court the lips of her 
Whose kiss so coveted and hard to win, 
Gives immortality — the Virgin, Fame ! 
I hoped, ere many years had fled, to 've won 
An influence o'er a myriad swords, whose blades 
Impatiently would fret to flash for me. 
And scorch all rivalry to dust. I dreamed 
That with delusions, promises and cheats, 
I might bind fast those scimitars together 
As with strong withes or chains, and thus ascend 
As by a glittering ladder to the high 
Authority of kings. 

Sebastian. 
And now, yet more 
Am I convinced that viewless hands above 
Have guided you, and have destroyed the ends 
For which you sailed, — unholy ends, which saints- 
Gaze on with horror and dismay. 

EuSTIN. 

I heard 
The shout which hailed my victory in war ; 
Methought I sat superbly couched, and throned 
In Oriental pageantry and ease. 
The play of fountains and the voice of girls 
Whose presence in my courts had dimmed the day 
And robbed the fragrance of a Georgian sky, — 
The luxury fine of melodies and songs, — 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 445 

Seemed floating 'round — intoxication sweet — 
Elysium found — 

Sebastian. 
^' Elysium found ?" — Son, you are mad ! Such dreams 
Are sent from devils. 

EUSTIN. 

« Found," did I say ? Alas ! 
No sensual luxury can charm to sleep 
The phantoms of the soul which ominous 
Flutter amid the haunted gloom within, 
Which not the sun can light. An awful dread, — 
A restlessness, and agonizing thoughts 
Would ne'er have suffered rest, — till quenched. 

No charm 
Of splendor, power, or loveliness, or wine 
Could drown these woes. They're spirits fierce, — 
Which no shaft pointed by a mortal hand 
Can strike and slay ; — but Thought divine, I know 
To be the only Michael who has nerve 
To ingulf their strong malignity. 

Sebastian. 

You speak 
As though not yet of mind bereft. Just now 
I deemed your senses lost. 

Eustin — {vnth an abstracted air, and with energy.) 
God ! I would 
I ne'er had known a friend to curse my life 
With his most damning confidence and thoughts ; 



446 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

Or else I wish to me were given the strength 
To wring an answer from the mystic lips 
Of Nature and existence. 

{To Sebastian.) 

I have pried 
Into their secrets, yet in vain. I'm awed — 
Bewilder'd by the scrutiny I've given 
To workings and to mysteries that are like 
The eye of a Spanish girl, — as night, deep — dark, 
Yet ravishingly bright.* Alas ! 
No satisfaction have they lent. Unrest 
Will ever, more or less, be mine. 

Sebastian. 

Your mind 
Is horribly bedimmed with doubtful clouds, 
Blown from the mouths of fiends. I see in all 
The circumstances of your wreck, a hand 
Which strives to guide you from delusions dark. 
Yet you must look for woes ; the foes will breathe 
Shrewd falsehoods in your ear, and bid your friends 
Destroy the seeds of healing which may drop 
From goodness to your soul. Beware, beware ! 
Of CoRiNNiEUS ! He has paid, my son, 
Our kindness with harsh looks. He hides 
A treacherous heart ; and jealously he looks 
Upon you whensoe'er you meet. 

{Going.) 

* Note A. 



THE GUESTS OP BEAZIL. 447 

My son, 
I wish you may awake upon the morn 
With mind more heavenly bent than now. 

Adieu ! 

EUSTIN. 

Adieu, good father. 

{Exit Sebastian.) 
He appears to me 
Host earnest in his faith. How blest his lot ! 
Afar is he above all woes ; content 
Reigns sweetly in his holy soul ; and all 
His meditations tend above, — are dyed, 
As are the great cathedral's aisles, in light 
Of a tempered mildness, soft as eve. The pomps 
Of a warlike world, (which heaves so oft 
With Freedom struggling, Titan-like, to rise. 
And heave from off her giant limbs 
The mountain- weight of empires and of creeds,) 
All dignity and wealth, and even the bliss 
Of wedlock — (thought divine !) — he doth despise. 
Ah, happy man ! — And yet how vastly wide 
The number of that crowd who render up 
Their gold, and hopes, and liberty, and life 
To men like him ! — In ignorance most dim, — 
Debased, without one lofty throb or wish 
Becoming gods on earth, save when their souls, 
By despotism most severely ground, emit 
A spark of brief resistance (which in hope 
That it may strike some mine and prompt 



448 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

The earthquake destined to unbolt her tomb, — 

The giant sepulchred below, proclaims 

Her own) — save casually this, they live 

In ignorance of those pure joys which spring 

Where science, genius and free truth dispense 

Their beams. A thousand virgins like apart 

From the wide world where they should bloom 

Anointing life's dull dust with scented dews. 

In gloomy nunneries and cells, they brood 

O'er their imagined guilt, and dig, with tears, 

The graves of life's most rich and sinless dreams. 

Emotions young, and the soft-playing throbs 

Of love's delightful pulse, are all condemned. 

The other sex in selfishness expend 

(As once this heart desired to spend) the oil 

From heaven's own olive-trees, which fills 

This curious lamp of being which we bear. 

And doth maintain the flame which should be spent 

In lighting brethren through a world where crawl 

Scorpions and asps. As for the priest — 

He is a strange exception to the ranks 

Of his deceitful tribe. I warmly wish 

He could be moved to act with me, and break 

The grand delusion of his pompous church. 

In this new land, where History is young, 

Where evil is not ground into the soul — 

A portion of its life, — where literature 

Is not yet poisoned in her every line 

With witching lies and countless tales of war, 

Contagious to the mind j but unemblazed 



THE GUESTS OF BEAZIL. 449 

With glory's proud, seducing shows ; and dreams 

Which blush with blood and flame, here, where the soil 

Is " married to immortal " blooms, and trees 

For ever stagger with their luscious gold. 

On which in vain from his high, dazzling throne 

Winter in envy looks ; where groves, superb 

And beauteous, emparadise the land, 

And yield abundance for the homes of man ; — 

Here, it doth seem, if man were once set free, 

And every wind of influence from without 

Were held at quarantine, and purged of taint, 

We might refute the blasphemy of those 

Who say that general virtue, peace and joy 

Can never dwell on earth. 

And war itself 
Must be regarded as the dragon-fiend 
Whose tail draws down a third of all the lights 
Which smiled, or which should smile, upon our gloom ; 
Here poetry should never gild or chant 
The murders of the great ; the Muses here 
Should cherish on their breasts young Love 
And his ambrosial train. 

The rocks. 
Beneath his footsteps, should spring off and block 
For ever up that avenue to fame 
And empire, which is strown so thick with waste 
And fragments of exploded states. 
29 



450 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

In my republic pure, 
Where an unslumbering summer smiles, and grounds 
On every side are paved with fruits ; where all 
With labor light, a competence can win — 
Nor poverty nor wealth should be, — for all 
The interests of men should there be blent 
Into one treasury, a common store 
Of luxuries and gains. To this great work 
Of breaking up the ground political, 
I must devote a study most intense. 
Meanwhile I'll try the pillars which uphold 
The present constitution in its place. 
This Corinnseus, who doth seem in truth 
A giant in his mind, may knit his ends 
And energies with mine. 

{Goes to a goblet on the table.) 

Amina ! here's to thee. 
Whose breath woke from their tomb and frost 
Within my breast emotions dormant long. 

{Drinks.) 

Did not the priest speak of some jealousy. 
And say that Coeinn^us was a devil masked ? 
Were he to cross me now, 'twould break my heart, — 
Or, kindling fresh the memory of the past. 
Make me to see in him the accurs'd, and bid 
Wild furies riot in my veins again. 

{Curtain falls.) 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 451 



Act hi. — Scene I. 
[The Chapsl. Sebastian and Sabino.) 

Sebastian. 

If doubt before I had, no doubt remains, 
That the bold stranger, from the jealous jaws 
Of ocean snatch'd, is one whom Fate for deeds 
Hath formed. Beneath the cradle where he rocked 
In infant sleep, some despot's grave was hid ; 
And the first light which kissed his opening eye, 
Glanced from a sword which in times past had cut 
Its death-wing'd pathway to the heights of power. 

Sabino. 
I fear you rhapsodize again — your hope 
Becomes the wizard medium which doth dwarf 
Mountains to molehills, and exalts mere men 
To gods ; — and then with magical effect 
Makes the gray twilight of the possible seem 

The risen day of certaint}- and fact. 

§ 

Sebastian. 

Your words are fanciful : but there doth run, 
Throughout your every speech, a vein of fear 
And doubt, which moral analysts can scarce 
Distinguish from the baseness of the dull. 
Worthless reverse of energy and mind. 
A confidence as reckless as the stream 
Which plunges headlong down a chasm dark, 



452 THE GUESTS OF BBAZIL. 

la the twin-brother to success. The stream — 
Though all may prophesy 'tis lost, though pent 
And struggling, it at last bursts forth, with shocks 
And speed unbroken — reappearing. 

Sabino. 
Again you prophesy too bright an end. 
Hast seen of late the stranger, who, you think, 
The talisman to great authority 
Holds fast within his grasp '? 

Sebastian. 

You touch the point : 
I find by converse with him in his room, 
That he most boldly doubts the faith 
Which we with such sincerity profess — 

Sabino. 

Ironically say that you with such 
Sincerity profess. I'm not unmoored 
As yet, from all restraints and fears. 

Sebastian {with a disdainful smile.') 
The stranger (Eustin is his name) I found 
In such sad plight of mind (as it doth touch 
The heavenly intervention of the saints) 
That he most blasphemously dares t' assert 
The fragment of the wreck deserves the praise 
Which sweet St. Catherine claims. The truth 
Is this. Upon his couch, half drown'd and wild 
In speech and senses, Corinnseus said 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 453 

That he had sav'd this Bustin from the waves ; 
This we know false. And in this knowledge sure, 
It flashed across my mind, while there with him, 
That we by some fine stratagem may maze 
This skeptic stranger in a labyrinth whence 
His entered soul no exit e'er shall find. 
If in delusion and in strong belief 
His mind be once entangled fast, our hopes 
May certainly break out in facts. 

Explode 
The popular faith, and all is lost ; or if 
Not lost, as well not found ; for change, and falls, 
And stabs, and crumbling crowns, will fill 
The air with smoke and tumult, and the land 
With bones, and hell (if such there be) with mirth. 

SABmo. 
'Tis true. 

Sebastian. 

Else would I hide amid the crowd 
Of theories and speculations new, 
A dragon's egg, which, hatched beneath their warmth 
In time, would, with the throes of its new wings, 
Quick batter down the walls of Zion here 
Into a hopeless wreck. But now I feel 
That Faith alone can give the glorious chance 
On which in triumph we may ride aloft 
Into the seats which we desire ; — and she 
Alone can palsy rank rebellion's zeal. 



454 THE GUESTS OP BEAZIL. 

'Tis clear, then, if we would command the might 
Within this Eustin's hand, to advance our cause, 
Doubt must forsake his daring mind. 

Sabino. 
Of doubt 
Completely shorn, — you'd find the impotence 
Of a religious fear, — as weak as doubt 
Before was strong. 'Tis Nature's certain law — 
A strange result. 

Sebastian. 

I think you err ; — but even if right, — 'tis clear, 

A mind like his would soon again perceive 

How much of hoUowuess was in our creed. 

The locks again would grow ; but ere 

The grandeur of a scornful, tameless zeal 

Could mock the influence that would sway 

His ways for our own ends, — then in the point — 

The very nick of time — we might lead forth 

His blinded strength to those great columns press'd 

By all the weight of state. 

Sabino. 
And would'st thou wish 
That he might perish in the wreck which brings 
Promotion unto you ? 

Sebastian {with a lurking smile.) 

He might be dragg'd 
Alive from out the chaos : For, one crash 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 455 

He hath survived. St. Catherine, methinks, 
Piqued by his horrible neglect before, 
Would not snatch forth the morsel from tlie teeth 
Of the spectre. Death, again. One who hath doubts 
Of the heavenly influences of the saints. 
Deserves to die. 

Sabino. 

I do not feel convinced 
That you are wise to jest — 

Sebastian. 

I've read in books 
That when a man's asleep, a whisperer. 
Near by his ear, may stir and lead his thoughts, — 
May prompt his dreams, and shape them into forms, 
Hideous or lovely, as his choice directs ; 
May charm the soul with love, or scorch with hate, 
Or write persuasion of the vision as sent 
From heaven upon its sleep. 

I have a strange 
Compound of herbs wherewith this sleep, with sense 
Of faintnes, may be quick induced. And then 
When he shall sink away, he may be brought 
Here in a couch, according to a plea 
Put forth by us, in kindness feigned. And lest 
Festino should suspect some plan in us, I dropt 
In Eustin's room a rose, of which I think 
He can but smell ; a compound fine, in dust, 
Was sprinkled in its leaves. This will induce 



456 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

A languor for awhile. To-night, by aid 

Of our own dear Amina, we can tinge 

His cup with opiates sweet. Thus his relapse 

May not seem strangely sudden to the eye 

Of her old father, who suspects these hands 

Not saintly as they should be quite. With flowers, 

Just as the potion works, I can drop in 

By accident, you know, — and with kind words. 

And " ohs !" and " ahs !" and pitying looks, I'll bid 

The men bring forth the invalid here 

To this our chapel room. 

Sabino. 

I ask you how 
The good Amina will unite in this ? 

Sebastian. 

I will persuade her, when she visits us 

At the confessional to-day, that doubts 

Most impious harass his mind who first 

Was found upon the beach. I'll then assure 

The trusting girl that heaven requires her aid 

In fastening conviction on his soul, 

Before of sufferance the hour is past. 

I'll say the potion is a sacred dust, 

Which, mingling with his wine, will nicely work 

A dreaminess fit to list the toners and words 

Of some kind saints whom I will pray to breathe 

Faith, peace and confidence into his ear. 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 457 

Sabino {hesitating.) 
I go to gather flowers against the time. 

{Exit Sabino.) 
Sebastian {after a moments soberness as of deep reflection.) 
'Tis well throughout th' economy of the State 
So many evils and oppressions bold 
The minds of men harass, and stir their fire. 
The muttering genius of revolt, now low 
Bowing its head in servile fear, anon 
Breathes loud the threat of vengeance, and at heart 
Muses on great reforms, and burns to hear 
War's dreadful tocsin, as at Florence sound, 
Calling the sons of valor unto arms. 
Liberty, thou spirit great and fair, 
Impersonation beautiful, august, 
Of patriotism's noblest, holiest dreams 
And aspirations warm in generous love ; 
Well may we pause whene'er thy image bright 
Confronts our sordid and ambitious souls ! 
Yea, even as the lover when his mind 
Dwells but one moment on the sweet idea 
Of love unblemished by an earthly stain 
And captive in no bonds but those which truth 
And polished thought and gentleness can weave j 
Yea, even as the lover, at Love's shrine 
Doth vow all other bonds to rend 
And sacrifice each base tho' glittering dream 
Which lightened fascination o'er his heart ; 
So do we, Freedom, at the vision fair 



458 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

Of thy pure, noble lineaments and power, 
Abhor each sordid thought and scheme, and thrill 
With those deep promptings of our finer souls 
Repressed so long by earth-born, selfish thoughts 
That rule our spirits with such mighty sway 
And change them as by Circe's relished charms, 
The liquid pleasures of her chaliced spells. 
But yet, alas ! 'tis vain ; 'tis vain ' 
Too fond, too beautiful and bright are all 
Those high imaginations, 'mid whose light 
(Caught from an Eden or Utopia blest,) 
Thy image smiles unto the patriot's mind. 
Unless the bases, (knowledge, virtue,) rest 
As deep and broad security, 'twere vain 
To frame the lofty hope of thy fixed sway, 
And rear of thy palladium the walls. 

{A knocking is heard.) 

Who now desires admittance ? Are ye friends ? 

Voices {without.) 
Aye, " friends," good father ; we would see thee ; baste,- 
Admit us ; we have word, of import good, — 
Choice news which thou wilt welcome. 

{Enter three Conspirators.) 

If like the bee ye are laden with choice good, 
Enter my hive with welcome. What news now 
Is giving gladness to your hearts ? How fares 
The scheme we have devised ? 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 459 



1st Conspirator. 

All's well ; afar 
The leaven secretly hath worked. 

2d CONSPIRATOlf. 

We hear 
That thousands far within the heart of the land 
Are wakened by the secret summons sent 
In the winged rumor of our plans. 

No doubt 
Among those stirred by these reports, there live 
Men who are worthy to command and fill 
A rebel leader's perilous place 

Sebastian. 
No doubt : 
The hour will call them forth. My eye, good friends, 
I will confess, is fixed on one whose powers 
(From good authority, I learn,) are nobly fit 
For popular influence and exalted place. 
He is a stranger here, " Eustin," by name ; 
A wanderer from the very land of power 
And civic wisdom. 

3d Conspirator. 

Will he serve our cause 1 
And can a stranger, heretic in faith, 
Bring the full offering of zeal and love 
To schemes of freedom in Brazil, a state 



460 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL 



Most cordial in devotion, as all know. 
To Rome's superb and venerable creed ? 

Sebastian. 
Our faith has much to win the mind ; and he 
In time will yield unto its power. He left 
His own far land, adventuring 
For military fame and power abroad. 
Here is a worthy field to claim the strength 
Of his mind's noblest faculties. 
Mark you, if we succeed, both wealth and rank, 
A prince's power and dignity and lands 
And your commendings to the smiles of Rome 
Are mine : For, who hath been the head 
Of all our band, — the fountain of designs. 
The main-spring, secret, it is true, but bold, 
Directing every movement which has seemed 
To flow on towards success ? 

1st Conspirator. 
All true, 
All true, most worthy father ; — 

2d Conspirator. 

Save the words 
" Our faith has much to win the mind ;" 
For this, thou knowest, as do I, is false. 
Religion here is but the shining rind, 
Rosy and golden, covering rottenness ; 
A solemn drama, all deceit and show. 



the guests of brazil. 461 

Sebastian. 
Cease, thou profane ! I will not argue now : 
But let this never be forgotten : Bright 
Tho' be our hoped success, and strong 
In popular approval tho' should prove 
Our new regime, yet never must a breath 
Assail th' immunities and fiefs and wealth 
Of holy Church, great guardian of law, 
Conservator of order, tower of light. 
Our steady Guide. But to resume : 

'Tis wise 
To avoid this Corinngeus who was wrecked 
With Eustin on our coast. Already he 
In certain captainships around doth seem 
To hold an influence with authorities ; 
But not for us such influence will 
Or can, indeed, be used. 

{A knocking is heard.) 

Amina {without.) 
Father ! father ! 

Sebastian {in a loiv voice.) 
It is a penitent : I pray thee, friends, 
Depart in silence by this private door 
And down this secret way. 

CONSPIEATORS. 

Adieu, adieu ! 
We meet ere long again. 

{Exeu7it Conspirators.) 



462 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

(j3 knock.) Sebastian. 

Come in, good friend, 

{Enter Amina.) 

Sebastian. 

Peace to you, daughter ! step to the private room ; 
I have commands voiced from no mortal lips — 
Of infinite importance. You must hear ; 
And having heard must act. 

{^Exeunt.) 



Act III. — Scene II. 
(7%e Confessional. Sebastian and Amina.) 

Sebastian. 

Such is the duty which now waits thy deeds ; 

And love, methinks, which all aver has sprung 

From a celestial fount, should not forget 

Its origin, — but, in its earthly flow. 

Should consecrate its stream with heavenly hues,— 

That God at last may not divorce its tides 

On the grand brink of the Eternal Sea 

From the warm current that it wooed in Time. 

Amina. 

Yes ! true, most pious father, true, most true ! 
And though the task were arduous, yet my hand 
Shall lose, I trust, the memory of fear. 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 463 



And now, my father, let my sins be shrived. 
Thou hast, 'tis true, called me a saintly one : 
My heart, I fear, if drinking grace from heaven. 
And with the gentleness of guardian saints 
Richly inspired, has wept too much on clay 
The fragrant bounty of the skies ; as bends 
The full-blown rose when glittering Avith dews, 
Purpling the ground with hues that heaven instill'd. 
And on the dust outpouring its sweet gems. 

Sebastian. 
That were, perhaps, a sin ; yet thy pure heart 
Scarce needs, I trow, forgiveness, for its warmth 
To earthly objects is eclipsed by love 
And dutiful resolve to God. And shrived 
Be every stain that spotteth with its eye 
The beauteous apple of thy heart, — if " stain " 
That which doth beautify may be. And now. 
Farewell, my daughter ; soon we meet again. 

{Exit Sebastian. Amina arises from the confessional seat, 
and kneeling before a statue or picture of the Virgin, sings the 
hymn that follows.) 

hide thy face, mild virgin moon ! 
A purer, lovelier queen I see ; 
And thou, too, blush ! benignant noon ; 
For here is more benignity. 

For who can paint thy smiles that shine 
Like morning on the slumbering sea ; 



464 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

Or, who shall dure to mark a line 
'Twixt loveliness and thee ? 

" Ave Maria !" let thy love 
Encircling always be to me, 
That my weak soul may share above 
Thy throned and blest eternity. 

{Rises and departs ; as she departs, a choir 'near at hand, yet 
invisible, are heard chanting ; and, after a momejit, the music 
becomes fainter , and dies away as in distance. Endo/ScEi^K 
11.) 



Act ill — Scene III. 

{A room in Festino's House. Enter Eustin and C0EiNN-a3US ; 
the rose is visible upon the floor. ^ 

CORINN^US. 

Your projects, to a great extent, appear 

Most reasonable and fair ; — but I detect 

A vein of error winding through your plans. 

I am a man whom time hath ever found 

'Mid speculations lost. I've watched the stream 

Of popular life which fitfully roams on 

Towards those dark gulfs wherein no eye hath gazed. 

I've seen it when upon its quietness 

The still stars smiled; — when airs, as soft and sweet 

As Love's own breath, in wandering, paused. 

Seeming with beauty hushed. When skies were blue — 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 465 

The home of Peace herself, and gazing down 

With influence mild as God's own blessing given 

To calm the current in its flow ;— e'en then — 

Yea, even then, it murmur'd ; and anon 

Flashed angrily ; and dashed aloft the mist. 

Which grew to clouds, whose blasts and fires 

Churn'd into white confusion all its waves. 

You dream. You cannot quarantine the winds ; 

Bad influences on your happy state will blow 

From every sky, — or if a canopy 

Could shield you from their power, the earth herself 

Would oft exhale her poisonous air and fumes 

To suflocate the spirit of the good. Here asps 

Abound ; and bitter herbs sprout forth 

Spontaneous from the soil. A war 

Forever must be waged 'gainst gloomy passions, hate 

And selfish love, ambition, pride, contempt. 

And jealousy, the fretful child of love : — 

All must be met with arms and strife > 

Religion's armory alone can give 

The radiant weaponry, all " bathed in heaven," 

Wherewith they can be met and vanquished. 

EUSTIN. 

Ah! 
Hast thou such fervid faith ? 



CORINNiEUS. 

Jfow I have such. 



30 



466 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

EUSTIN. 

Canst give us reasons strong, sucli as may chain 
The mind unto the canons of your creed, and leave 
No method of escape from its belief ? 

COEINNiEUS. 

I can. 
Let's to the coolness of a public square. 
The reasonings will be various and close. 

EUSTIN. 

But ere we go — may I confide in you, 
And ask a question ? 

CoRlNNiEUS {aside.) 

Does he pierce my mask, 
And spite of all disguises, see in me 
The friend who. cursed his youth ? 

{To EUSTIN.) 

May you confide ? 



Oh, doubt it not. 



EUSTIN. 



Then may I ask your aid 
In the fierce struggle to be made ere long 
To purge this land with fire, and build an arch 
Of Government, to mock at Time, and cast 
A shadow o'er all other forms ? 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 467 



CORINN^US. 

A high 
And difficult attempt ! 

EUSTIN. 

The mighty past 
Speaks with a mighty voice, and it proclaims 
The wise and foolish {picks up the rose.) 

CORINN^US. 

Results most certainly 
Mark them out both to us ; — I can command 
Assistance from the captainships around, 
And help you cut the glorious stone which you 
May shape and raise into an altar pure 
For Freedom's sacred coals. You will not want 
Assistance in that hour. For, as from 'mid 
The incense flame the Hebrew lighted up, 
(As told in holy writ,) his man-like guest 
Did spring, and 'mid its brightness rush to heaven 
An angel tho' unknown before ; — so here. 
When Freedom's altars shall be fired, will men 
Whom you had deemed of common earth 
Spring up as gods into their proper heaven, 
The cloudless sky of liberty and fame. 

( Curtain Jails. ) 



468 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL 



Act IV. — Scene I. 

{^Apartment in Festino's House. A casement opening upon 
a moonlit sea.) 

Amina {sola.) 

How calmly shines the moon upon the tide 

That seems the mirror where her virgin eye 

Beholds her loveliness unveiled ! The winds 

Beaeath the beauty of her face are hushed, 

And awed to silence by her holy smile : 

Or else we may believe a Sabbath reigns 

Throughout the air ; the week of revelry 

And passion being o'er. The laugh, the mirth, 

The brilliant tournament and gala days 

Of the glad waves have ceased. And now no more 

The " spangled slumber " of the flowers is " rock'd." 

At length have ceased the jubilee and dance 

In the luxuriant gardens which the songs 

And soul-charged kiss of lovers had hallowed. 

Not e'en a cloud flits o'er the shell-paved beach. 

But white th' unblemished glory lies, — as though 

From his tall seat where wearied stars repose 

An instant in their pilgrimage on high 

Through the desert of blue — Winter (the king who sits 

Above the Spring, as hoary wisdom towers 

O'er youth and beauty, in the world of rank) 

Had flung snow-carpets for his still descent 

To kiss sweet Summer in her sleep 'mid flowers. 

The very monsters of the sea contain 



THE GUESTS OP BEAZIL. 469 

The tumults of their joy ! No splash is heard ; 
The hush and deep tranquility of night 
Doth seem a prophecy of times when pain, 
Unholy revelry, and strife, are words 
Expunged as obsolete from the volume fair 
Of Being here below. 

On such a night • 

As this, we may believe, the virgin pure, 
Mary the blest and all^adored, gazed first 
Upon her infant God ; — while from above, 
The watchers through the veil of azure peep'd, 
And smiled in voiceless extasy. — To win 
To her sweet faith, — this night my hand, as sworn, 
Must give to one whom this full heart adores 
With tenderness too like idolatry,— 
This sacred potion. 

(^Opens a small, white paper into a silver goblet ; — after which, 
from a flask on the table, she fills the goblet with wine.) 

Alas ! what if through some 
Sad error it should trance his costly life 
In slumber visionless and never waked ! 
Yet it must be that she did thus direct 
The holy father ! I do dread to give, — 
Lest in the draught, his life, my hopes. 
My very peace and happiness be drowned. — 
But he comes now ! 

{Enter EuSTIN, with a faded rose in his brtast.) 



470 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

EUSTIN. 

Ah, my Amina. — art thou here 1 — I feel 
A weariness to-night, in consequence, 
I may suppose, of thought severe to-day ; 
And yet my mind hath consolation found, 
To some extent, from its perplexities. 

[Throws himself into a cushioned chair or sofa.) 

Amina {/alteringly.) 
Perchance some wine would bring repose ? 

EUSTIN. 

" Repose?" It should arouse the veins, and shoot 
Its magic fire through quickening blood. Is this 
Some of the fruit of your own vineyards, love ? 
It hath a blush that's ravished from the cheek 
Of evening or of morning in their bloom, 
As poetry would feign. 

Amina {beholding him about to drink.) 

Oh, do not drink — 
It is our own, — but 'tis not — 

EUSTIN. 
— 'Tis not worthy, 
You would say. Believe me, those dear hands would lend 
A lusciousness to tasteless fruits, — 
And they would seem as though their blossoms, kissed 
By Love's own lips, were ripened by his smile, 
And scented by his breath. 

{Lifts the goblet to his lips.) 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 471 

Amina {with agitation.) 

Desist, — oh, do — 
One moment, while I speak. Your language falls — 
In truth it does — upon my yearning breast, 
I fear too fondly like a page which falls 
From the book of titles to the bliss above. 
You have become — (I need not hide it now 
From me or you) — you have become the pulse 
Within my veins. Your altered look, or loss 
(I shudder at the word,) the loss of you — 
Of your devotedness and smile, — would freeze 
These throbs to stillness. 

EUSTIN. 

And you fear 
This draught will cheat my heated sense to think 
That there is sunshine sweet in other hearts 
And other eyes which beat and flash so oft 
In groves around. You do not know me yet. 
{^He drinks — Amina rushes forward, seizes his arm loith an 
anxious look. EuSTiN, with a smile, yields the half-emptied 
chalice. Amina places it upon the table ; and turning, 
covers her eyes, hut her lips are seen to move.) 

Amina, — you do err if you suppose 

That I, howe'er bewildered, and though lost 

My way upon the ocean dim of revery 

And cold philosophy, without a chart, — 

Would turn my eye one moment from the star 

Of your pure love, which through the gloom has burned 

To point me to the harbor of repose. 



472 the guests of brazil. 

Amina. 
O'erlook what I have said. It is too late. 
But swear, (my boldness, Eustin, pardon,) swear, 
That come what change may come upon your mind, — 
No vow or deed shall dim your zeal, or part 
Me ever from your soul. 

Eustin {fervently, yet pleasantly.') 

Can aught divide 
The perfume from the bud, — from stars, their light ; 
Prom June, its dews and blooms, — from spirit, life, — 
The music from the quivering strings, or mind 
From all desire, — from health, its pulse, — from youth, 
Its fire, — from woman, smiles, — from joy, its song, — 
A heaven from love, or bliss from heaven ? 

Amina. 

I will believe the promise which your words 
So goldenly enshrine. 

Eustin. 

To know you rest 
A confidence in those my words. 
This is delightful. A calm trust 
Is a sweet flower, with gentleness inwov'n 
And with affection, wreathing fair. 
As decoration choice, a woman's soul. 
Fatigue and thought severe to-day 
Have wearied me, in truth. {dozes.) 



the guests of brazil. 473 

Amina. 
The balm 
For all such languors nature gives, the great 
And beautiful provider for our wants ; 
Breath of refreshment to the languid strength ; 
Beguiling sorrow with delightful dreams. 

EusTiN {speaks, pausingly, with drowsiness.) 

A lover's dreams are best delight : 
His last thoughts, ere he sinks in sleep, 
Recast in some new shape, yet all suffused 
In memory's loveliest effulgence, shed 
By its best image. 

Amina. 
That, of course, 
I doubt not ; and rejoice to hear you shrine 
One image fond. 

EuSTiN {closing his eyes and sinking his head.) 
doubt me not ; 

'Tis very sweet to hear you say, again, 

I feel and ever mine — {inarticulate words.) 

Amina, gazing in alarm, passes behind him, and sustains his 
head, then adjusts its repose ; after which, going before a 
crucifix, she kneels with clasped hands. {A knock — after a 
pause, enter Sebastian.) 

" Peace to you, daughter !" 

(Amina rises.) 

You've performed, I see, 
The deed I did commend. You have confess'd 



474 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

Your warm attachment to this man ? — This act, 
Whereby he may anointed be with peace, 
Is worthy of your zeal to him and Her 
Who, far above, looks meekly down. 'Tis best 
He should be borne at once into some spot 
Where no rude laugh hath ever rung — where feast 
And revelry and wine have ne'er been known ; 
There, as we trust, the solemn glance and voice 
Of Immortality will lend a hope. 
Divine assurance and repose to him 
Whose intellect is now bemazed with doubts, — 

{Aside.) 

And chemicals in wine ; — which seems to be 
Like Mercury asleep in Bacchus' arms, — 
Or powder giving power to the pressed grape. 
{To Amina.) 

My daughter ! This affair doth fill 

My soul with heaviness. 'Tis meet, before 

We bear the worthy stranger hence, that this 

The remnant of the wine, too holy far 

To wet another lip than his whose case 

Demanded its fine aid, should be cast forth. 

{Empties the goblet out of the window.) 

All will be gratified, if, thro' our zeal. 

He may that spiritual ladder see. 

Whereon the thoughts, like angels fair, may step 

From earthly unbelief to high commune 

With bright realities in the spirit-world, 

And reach th' ethereal height of heavenly hope. 

{Enter Festino.) 



the guests op brazil. 475 

Festino. 
Daughter ! 
How doth our guest to-night '? He sleeps, it seems. 

{Exit Amina in apparent anxiety.) 

Sebastian. 

It is a languor which hath fallen, at last, 

Upon his frame, in consequence of those 

Most horrid sufferings in the storm. His mind 

For several days seemed buoy'd and clear, — but now 

Mysteriously hath fallen, as I did fear, 

Into a lassitude and dream. 

Festino. 
He said 
To-day, a lazy languor's mist 
Crept o'er his sense. 

Sebastian. 

As he hath kindly wish'd, 
He should be softly borne without delay 
To where all night I slumberless may watch 
Around his invalid couch. 

Festino. 

I'll send at once 
The bearers with my serpentine. 

{Exit Fest.) 
Sebastian {solus.) 
They on Avhose senses sleep doth float 
With soft, oblivious power ; as evening's calm, 



476 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

Of a summer's night, upon the waters tossed 

Just now of vexing winds, falls soothingly 

And glassing images of beauty ; — they 

Who're thus becalmed and entertained with dreams, 

The visions of the beautiful and bright, 

Are surely blest. Yet if we've slept, 

To life more vigorous should we rouse our powers, 

When fairly waked. To act is Nature's law. 

To wake and act shall now be mine. 

Then, farewell ! sleep. Ye voiceless heavens. 

In vigilant glory bending o'er the world 

To witness all things ; witness my resolve ! 

And thou, Death, if to thy portal dark 

My movements bold shall lead me, and my acts 

Shall knock for entrance to thy mansions dim, 

Shalt give the place of honor and the shrine 

Worthy to hold the ashes of the brave 

Which erst did glow and flash with hero-life. 

{He wakens BusTiN who sinks almost immediately to sleep 
again. He again arouses him.) 

Sebastian. 

Eustin, my son, art ill ? arise ! my son ; 

Rest thee on me, §,nd walk with me at ease • 

To the serpentine ; 'tis just now brought. 

(EufaTiN arises languidly and walks, — leaning, as if in great 
drowsiness, upon the Priest. Exeunt.) 



THE GUESTS OF BEAZIL. 477 



Act IV. — Scene IL 

( Chapel. Sabino, Sebastian and Eustin. The latter is home 
in, asleep upon a hammock-couch, superbly decorated. After 
tvhich the attendants retire.) 

Sabino. 

It seems our fasting should be broken now — 
And yet a banquet would be quite amiss ; 
Some homely diet should the occasion match 
Of this good effort to inspire with zeal 
The wandered slumberer. 

Sebastian. 

Say rather, man, 
Some glorious feast, to. evince our joy elate 
That we have caged a bird whose wings were form'd 
To cuif the air about the awful heights 
Of Cotopaxi's snow and flame. 

'Twould seem 
To undervalue the great deed inspired 
By pure devotion's soul, if we should drink 
Ashes and water on the occasion high — 
Dry crusts for other times, when we despair ; 
But now 'tis meet we should have mirth ; — no doubt 
Upon my mind doth sit, that we shall rise 
Through this fine stratagem to seal as ours 
One who can work for us and openly. 
Enthusiastic, valiant, bold, — great acts 



478 THE GUESTS OF BEAZIL. 

May soon be witnessed and before his feet 
Earthquakes may start, and from the rocky shores 
Of Europe, echoes may rebound, of falls 
And exaltations here. If these, our hopes. 
Should ripen into victories, 'twould seem 
Most strange to say that we had thus prepared 
Our path #0 majesty and wealth ! 

His mind, 
Familiar long with daring plots for power, 
And now with generous ambition fired, 
Might, properly advanced by influence strong. 
Blaze like the morning-star to front the dawn 
Of revolution's coming day, if faith, 
Which none could challenge, were his own. 

We both 
Well know, or might well know, how oft 
By artifice and subtle, fine device 
Visions of saints and messengers that shine 
With glory of a higher world are made 
Upon the opened, yet half-dreaming eyes 
To gleam with apparition wonderful. 
The history of our craft abroad is rich 
With curious instances, and triumphs, too, 
Which well attest the faultless skill whereby 
The Virgin or the saints from heaven are brought 
To waken or rekindle faith and zeal. 
The personnel and all materiel fine 
For this ripe scheme of mine are near. 



the guests of brazil. 479 

Sabino. 
But surely as a person in this play 
Amina has no part ? 

Sebastian. 

Amina ? No : as soon would I a dove 
Commission to o'ertake a hawk and tame 
That swift-winged tyrant of the skies to live 
And feed henceforth with pigeons, and forswear 
His independent and wild corsair-life. 

{Ji knock.) 
It is Amina ! Enter, friend beloved. 
{Enter Amina.) 

Amina {with anxiety.) 
How is he ? Is he well 1 

Sabino. 

No slumberer 
Could rest more calmly than does he. 

Sebastian. 
No cloud amid the breathless summer sky 
Reposed more tranquilly. 

Amina. 

But see ! 
He moves ; he murmurs, as in dreams. 
No feverish heat, I trust, disturbs 
The motions of the brain 1 



480 THE GUESTS OF BEAZIL 



Sebastian. 

! fear it not : 
The even movement of the dial's shade 
Is fitful to the order of his pulse, 
Which beats so softly, and keeps perfect time 
Unto the sweet airs of his welcome dreams. 
Now see ! he smiles : perhaps, e'en now. 
Some holy influence its first, faint breath 
Is wafting on his soul ; some vision fair. 
The shadow of revealings more distinct 
Hereafter to be given, may e'en now beam 
Upon the mental eye. And who can say 
But that, while tapers blaze with homage-fires 
Before their images, some saint, in love, 
May hallow this the vestibule of heaven 
By presence, visible, at least, to him ? 
The history of our faith records such facts. 

Amina. 

Pray, what imports it, if I watch all night 
With you, the slumberer's couch beside ? 

Sebastian. 

Much ; dove. 
Think not those sensitive spirits of the purer clime 
Reveal themselves when worldly, unshrived minds 
That relish more or less the joys of sense 
Are present and released from slumber's thrall. 
Their beauty shows and glows amid the air, 
As doth the moon-bow, (emblem chaste of such,) 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 481 

When the gairish beams of day are quenched i' the tide 
Of the western sea, display its silvery sheen : 
So when the busy throngs are still, and softly dies 
• The pleading, penitential hymn of those whose souls 
Are cinctured with the vows of chastity 
As by an honoring wreath of roses white, — 
Then, like the stars, appear the light-clad saints, 
And their strange voicings steal on hallowed ears : 
But rare as weightiest pearls such instances. 

Amina. 
Then had 1 better soon retire ? 

Sebastian. 

Not here 
Would e'en we linger, having flooded heaven 
With fervid, incense-wafted praj^ers that faith 
Her blessed dawnings in his soul may know : 
But vigilant and fasting, nigh yon door 
We shall his summons wait, the air of night 
Awakening by our softly-breathed hymns. 
Let me suggest : at early dawn of light, 
Yea, ere the morn, like to some maiden child. 
Has learned instinctively to blush and smile 
At praises of her fairness, then arise 
And gather dewy flowers of spicy scent : 
If languid he, their fragrance may revive. 
At least delight : and therefore early court 
The power of sleep. 
31 



482 the guests op brazil. 

Amina. 

'Tis well suggested : so, 
To him and you a fond adieu ; I go. 

{Exit.) 

Sebastian. 

'Tis nigh the hour that that fair one designed 
To play the saint, in gossamer draperies veiled, 
Was here. So closely have I read how art 
J las deep her subtle impositions pressed, 
When, in a dreamy fantasy, the mind 
Looked thro' its windows mistily, that now 
I cannot doubt success my wish will crown. 

Sabino. 

Has disaffection in the Empire far 
Fermented among those of much account ? 
Is there a prospect that with leaders fit 
The bristling opposition of the loyal arms 
May be confronted and in time o'erpowered ? 

Sebas. 

I doubt it not. Full well we know how soon 

The jealous of our order would oppose 

The ascendancy of liberal, sceptic minds ; 

And, dreading dark disaster to the faith. 

The eclipse by clouds abhorred, and rights contemn'd, 

If they an armed resistance had evoked. 

Would add new fury to the war-like blaze 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZII. . 483 

That greeted each advance rebellion made, 

And would each policy which it proposed 

Throttle, if possible, as soon as born. 

Of course, some liberal concessions must be wrought 

Into the frame-work of our civil scheme. 

[Curtain falls. ") 



Act V. — Scene I. 

( The, Street near the Chapel. .Wight.) 

Sebastian {solus.) 

Nought now remaineth but the springs to touch 
Which the machinery and the shifting hands 
Of Revolution start. Thus far the plot 
]Moves on with serious pace. 

Ah ! hist ! who comes ? 
i will lurk near and see. 

{Hides, while Corinn^us enters.) 

CORINN^US. 

I would I had the boldi.ess to proclaim 

Who rocked the cradle of my infancy. 

But I do fear 'twould tear afresh his wounds. 

Remorse ! well have men spoken of thy bolts 

Which scathe the mind, and of those scorpions rank 

Which thou upon the pillow of crime dost strew. 

Thy scowl which makes the frowns of night seem smiles, 



484 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

Doth shroud e'en hope itself in funeral robes, 
And sickens thought -, — nay, all my being itself 
Seems shrunk to one dry pain ; and even hell 
In vain will multiply its arts t' exceed 
The horror of thy pang, usurper black 
Of joy's bright throne. 

{Enter Eustin.) 
Ah, Eustin, — art thou here ? 

Eustin. 

Yes, I am here, but almost fear to stand 

On a dismal night like this with one like you. 

CORINN^US. 

What may you mean ? 

Eustin {with his hand on his sivord.^ 

I have talked with one 
Who heard your exclamations when, half lost, 
Your senses wandered. 

CORlNNiEUS {aside.) 

Is't possible ? Have 1 
Exposed my name ? 

{To Eustin.) 

You are deceived, my friend ; 
You've nought to fear from me. 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 485 

EuSTiN {aside.) 

How^very smooth 
The bohl-faced villain speaks to-night ! 

{To CORINN.EUS.) 

Good Sir. 
Hast aught to commimicate ? Speak quick ; — for I 
Have my engagement hence and far. 

CORINN^US. 

May I assure you of my kind regard ? 

I throw aside my sword to show my trust, 

And that I have no hate for you. 

{Throws aside his sword.) 

EuSTiN {aside.) 

Almost 
I can believe the knave. 

CORINN-^US. 

May I inquire 
The cause of your late conduct, which must seem 
Unlike your former ways ? 

EUSTIN. 

I've had of late 
A visitation strange. The kind old priest — 
When I sank down into that dreamy trance, — 
Bade the attendants bear me to his room, 
That there he might watch o'er my rest. Give ear ! 



486 THE GUESTS OP BBAZIL 



The trance was sent from Heaven ! And it revealed. 

As a stream of scented oil on a tossing lake, 

A voice, born of no mortal lips, fell soft 

Upon my troublous dreams ; and said, " Awake 

From your philosophy ! 'Tis vain. Count not, 

When you arise, this vision but a shape 

Prom the stagnation of your senses risen, — 

A thin, delusive flame. But lo ! in proof 

Of its divine descent, transpires a glow 

Of waving light before your eye. A star 

Sits on the spirit's brow." I looked and saw 

In truth the fearful revelation there. 

Again the mystery spoke. It bade me yield 

My firm assurance to that faith which here 

Spreads like the shadow of an angel's wing 

Over this passionate clime. 

{Jihsorbed attention and delighted satisfaction are alternately 
visible in the action and countenance o/Sebastian, v'ho should 
here be visible to the audience.) 

It did enjoin 
With awful threatenings that I should obey 
What she (St. Catharine by name) should hint 
Through the holy father to my ear. " Awake ! 
To mighty deeds," cried she, " and I will bathe 
Your sword in victory's light : And you shall build 
From ruins of the present state, a shape 
Of government conformed to ends desired 
By every spirit in the world of light." 
►Such were her words, or nearly such. A doubt 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 487 

Still held possession of my mind. 

I spoke and bade the vision give again 

A sign that it was truly real : " Bid " 

I said " another token now to appear, — 

A sign of sure reality." I gazed 

And saw another proof ; a luminous ring 

Glittered above the spirit's brow : its voice 

Again was heard with like import. 

Yea, still, 
Tho' trembling, scarce did I believe, 'till yet 
More evidence demanded shone. My heart 
The influence celestial drank ; I live, 
First, to be guided in achievements bold, — 
But more I need not add. 

CORINN^US. 

I cannot doubt 
But that you saw a shape before your eyes,— 
But it was of your mind. 

EUSTIN. 

You sadly err. 

CORINN.^US. 

Listen to me : That cunning knave, the priest. 
By the connivance of some compound strange 
Which he had mingled in your food, or else 
Had sprinkled on the rose you wore, has woi-ked 
Your mind fermented to these dreams. 



488 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

EUSTIN. 

In vain 
To me you speak ; but I will hear. 

CORINN.EUS. 

I heard 
On that same night the villain laugh to think 
How fast the current of his schemes would flow 
On towards the ocean of his vast desires. 
He spoke fantastically of saints whom he 
Would to co-operation bring, by means 
Of the jugglery he has done. 

BuSTiN {with amazement.) 

Dost speak indeed 
The naked truth ? I am amazed ! — I'm shock'd 
To hear of such atrocity in him ! 

(CoRiNN.EUS resumes his sivord, and the Priest retires with a 
vexed and angry countenance.) 

CORINNzEUS. 

My word is pledged — let us retire — 'tis late. 

EusTiN {a^ter a moment's reflection.) 

Yet I beheld the vision, — heard the voice, 

And noted all ! {energetically) You cannot quench my faith. 

CORTNN.EUS. 

Nothing but friendsliip, Bustin, could draw forth 
What now I say : — I've found that she whom once 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 489 

I thought all tenderness for you, has joined 
The Priest in this dark treachery. 

EuSTiN {impatiently and with fury.) 

Liar ! 
Villain and devil ! Draw at once, or die ! 
Art sunk by jealousy and hate 
To slander base as this ? — Dost think thereby 
To tempt these lips to insult and scorn 
The worshipp'd of my soul ?— - But I'll waste 
No words on thee. 

( They fight ; in the contest, the loeapon of Eustin is struck 
from his hand.) 

Strike ! 
CoRiNNiEUS {sheathing his sword.) 
Never ! I love thee still. 

{Exit CoRiN.) 

Eustin {solus.) 

That I might pierce the mystery of the man ! 

{A thoughtful pause.) 
Who he may be, — 'tis vain to inquire. He fear'd ' 
To strike, lest it should break her heart ; and strives 
To cool my love, so she may turn to him, 
Grieved from my breast ! I'll ne'er insult her truth 
By seeking vindication from her lips. 

{Exit.) 

{Enter with a suspicious look, Sebastian.) 



490 the guests op brazil. 

Sebastian. 

All ! both are gone ! I'm shocked to hear the bald 

And naked truth so insolently told ! 

I'm dashed, it seems, by that accursed knave 

Whose ears unseen must sail around on wings 

To catch my every heedless word, as birds 

Seize fast upon some luckless bug by day 

"Wandering improvidently forth. And now 

First to Festino will this news be brought, 

And all the art of these manoeuvres shown : 

Then all abroad, or to his loyal peers 

The unsprung, maddening plot will be disclosed ! 

Then follow, — shame, suppression armed and stern ; 

Arrests, arraignings, bonds and death ! 

Fair hopes ! extinct : good name ! defiled : the life 

Of high ambition ! all down-cast to dust : 

Each breath, perchance, a sufferance ; and the grave 

Attractive as the living world : all this, 

To hated Corinnfeus due ! One thing 

Is certain as they live : They both must die ! 

The occasion in its secrecy will soo-n 

Come floating by, and bid some dagger leap 

From its dry sheath to drink their blood. 

And stab th' exposure ere 'tis born. Or else. 

If the chance delays, — I'll bribe some scullion base 

To poison all, and fire the towering house 

To desolation on their heads : And then 

"When comes the murderer to confess his sin, 

I'll suddenly absolve him from all fears 

Of trouble, in this world at least, and save 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 491 

An arrow for old Death. These fearless hands 

Can crowd a traveller through the press which mobs 

The close-jamm'd gates of hell, long ere his time. 

Is all, then, lost ? All is not lost ! 

When I have mined and struck the very door 

Which to the enchanted chamber leads, of fame 

And empire hid as gold, shall I withdraw 

Because a cobweb stretches o'er the spring 

Which must be touched ere entrance can be gained ? 

Or, when I've through the dismal passage groped 

Till I have touched the castle's secret gate, 

Shall I retreat, because a little mouse 

Doth seem about to squeak surprise ? Shall I 

The goblet dash upon the ground, lest that 

A tiny insect in the bowl should lose 

His life were I to drink ; or shall I place 

Upon the wheels of my manoeuvres grand 

Eternal clogs, lest when they move in fire, 

A useless rosebud should be crushed and scorched ? 

No, no ! This from Sabino must be cloaked. 

{Exit.) 



Act V. — Scene IL 
(^ public garden. JVighf. Enter Bustin.) 

EUSTIN. 

To-night how blandly creeps the air — a thief 
Who gives delight while he doth steal our pains ! 
An hour for rest in this still spot ! Now, Love ! 



492 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

Shake thy kaleidoscope of dreams, and show 
Delicious changes to one centre true. 

{Reclines upon a bench and sinks to sleep. Enter CorinNwEUS 
from behind.) 

CORINN^US. 

The hum afar of revelry and song 

Glides from the city's pomps. Another month 

May yet its tempest bellow thick with hail 

Of iron and fire. Ah ! who doth sleep so sound 

Upon yon seat ? 'Tis Bustin ! would that I 

Could hope forgiveness from him ; I would lay 

The secrets of my heart in his ! Then were 

This air ambrosial as an angel's breath 

Fresh from that tree whose rich and nectarous fruit 

Is immortality and bliss, waxed ripe 

'Neath the love-lightnings of God's eye. E-hist ! 

Some step is stealing near ! 

(CORiNNiEUS conceals himself in the back part of the stage. 
Enter J cautiously from behind, Sebastian, disguised as a 
robber. 

Sebastian. 

Here have I seen the coward walk on eves 

Of similar quiet. As I live, here lies 

Some vagrant lost in sleep. Good heavens ! 'tis he ! 

Now, dagger ! falter not. 



THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 493 

{Draws a straight sword, and creeps near to Eustin. The 
Priest is seized from behind by CorinntEUS. They struggle j 
the latter tvrests the lueapon from the hand of Sebastian, 
who, dropping a labelled hey aid piaper in the confusion, 
exclaims in a subdued voice full of dismay ;) 

" Spare me, spare ! 
Necessity severe tempted me hither 
To rob, not strike, unless in self-defence." 

{They struggle; the Priest, seizing the arm of Corinn^us, 
escapes and disappears in the thickets of the garden. Corin- 
N^US picks up the key and paper, retaining in his hand the 
weapon wrested from Sebastian.) 

CORINN/EUS. 

A key ! 'Tis labell'd. 'Tis the Priest's ;— his voice 
Was not v^^ell feigned. These I reserve for day. 
And close examination. 

{EvQTm, unseen to Couinnjevs, awakes and gazes upon him. 
After a momenfs anxious thought, the latter continues ;) 

It is best 
To conceal the murderous assault until- 



EuSTiN {springing up and drawing a sword.) 

Dost think me sleeping, murderer ! I know 
From my own vision now, as from the words 
Sebastian, cautioning, gave, that thou 
Dost nurse base hatred, and dost scruple not 
At MURDER, if it is darkly veiled. I know 



494 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

The treachery of 3^our mind at last. Prepare 
For the fiercest struggle yet. 

{They fight. Copjxnjous is wounded, and sinks upon the seal, 
exd aiming :) 

Oil ! oh ! I'm wounded ! 

EUSTIN. 

Wounded ? You shall die ! 

(tJnterfrom the left the Priest, as before, disguised. Approach- 
ing hastily, he seizes EusTiN from behind, and struggles for 
the dagger in the hands of the latter, They pass off strug- 
gling to the left of the stage and disappear. CORINN^US 
gazes after them, exclaiming in a low voice :) 

The Priest will fall. For surgical relief 

Ere I'm too faint to move alone 'tis fit 

That I should seek. What misconstruction strange ! 

{Exit CoRiNNJSUs feebly ; — at the sam.e time, re-enter the 

Priest.') 

Sebastian {with a searching glance.) 

The key's not here, it seems ! What matters that ? 
I oft stroll forth by day, and can assert 
'Twas lost in the street. And they may wisely think 
Some robber had found it. 'Twere a useful thing 
To such a rogue. Perchance I lost it not 
In this ^ugh scufile here. If so, all's safe. 
The other plans remain. What if Hwere fixed 
Upon my hand, — this masked attempt ! 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 495 

The sooner they all fall ! Composure firm, 

And the calm look of innocence are now 

Important to success. Dark, dread and sure 

As Death's approaching shade must move our plots ; 

Not surer is the advent of the night, 

Nor speedier, when the Sun forsakes h's hall 

Of gala glory draperied in blue, 

Than is the unfolding of the scheme we nurse ! 

(Exit.) 



Act V. — Scene III. 

[Jlpartment in Festino's house. Enter Amina and Eustin.) 

Amina. 

Shall not the bearers bring a serpentine '? 
An airing out towards the sea, I think, 
Would give you strength 

Eustin. 

I may not now, my love ; 
Expecting Corinnasus here. 'Tis time 
He were upon the spot. He said he wished 
A tale to read of his own life and deeds. 
Now I remember, he desired that all 
Might here attend to hear. 

Amina. 

They shall attend. 
Is it a tale of grief or mirth ? 



496 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

EUSTIN. 

He did not say. 
Amina, 
lie lias been absent in the town of late ? 

EUSTIN. 

He lias. We'll hear his tale. It Avill relate 
To his deviltries in Brazil. I'll hear, and then 
Refute til' ingenious lies which he has framed ; 
I'll then explain of my late fears the cause, 
And cover him with infamy and shame. 

Amina. 
(), do not speak so harsh ! What may you mean ? 

EUSTIN. 

Dearest Amina, you will know to-night. 

{Exit Amina.) 

I thought aright ! 'Twas best to wait and see 

What this base wretch could say why earth should not 

At once vomit him forth. I would I could 

Divine his object in this bitter hate 

He cherishes — a hate which he would guard 

From all suspicion of his prey. What more 

Than envy can it be ? It will be well 

To be upon the watch to-night. Perchance, 

However, he may send his words and wait 

To hear if falsehood thrives : Perfidious wretch ! 



THE GUESTS OF BEAZIL. 497 



{Enter CoRiNNiEus, Sebastian, Sabino, Festino, Amina, 
GoNSALVO, and several attendants.) 

CORINN^US. 

Friends, as a faintness sickens at my heart, 
I will entreat some one to read the sheet 
Which I've prepared. 

{Hands the written sheet to Bustin.) 

May I entreat that all 
Who now look on me with abhorrence strong 
Will give due heed to all he reads. 

Festino. 

Pray who 
Looks on thee but with kind regard ? 

CORINN^US. 

Before 
You do begin, I wish to give this key 
To the holy father. He has dropt it when 
Upon some loitering, in the city's parks. 

{Having given a key to Sebastian, Corinn^us reclines upon 
a couch. Sebastian, eyeing him keenly, places the key in 
his bosom. 

Sebastian. 

I must suppose 'ttvas rifled from my breast 
By a treacherous thief, who yesterday at dusk 
Severely handled me for gold. (To Cor.) My thanks. 
32 



498 the guests of brazil. 

Festino. 

Eustin, my son — we're all attention noAv, 

(If I may thus anticipate events 

And speak a father's words :) pray read ; we list, 

Eager as drooping flowers for night's cool dews. 

(Eustin: reads) 

To all his friends in good Festino's house ; 

Kind salutations, health and peace ! 

With no narration wearying and long, 

Will CorinnEBus your forbearance task : 

But with th' occasion of the shipwreck dire 

Will I begin. With deep solicitude 

The mental state of Eustin (fondly loved 

And justly, strongly settled in your hearts) 

I watched from day to day : and could but see 

In his eye and air, of peace the ruins sad, 

And o'er the desolation of his soul 

The brooding shadows of distracting thought. 

By ghastly memories haunted ; by the fangs 

Of dread remorse envenomed, I have sought 

By ministration prompt of kindly deeds, 

Ignoring self, t' appease the frowning shapes 

Of lingering remembrances which, in his mind, 

I knew were dominant. The moment came. 

From the wild, stunning crash that wrecked, I woke 

To see, in that faint light, the struggling yield, 

As fainting soldiers to a conqueror strong. 

A cry of anguish and of terror burst. 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 499 

• . 

Half-smothered, from our well-loved Eustin's lips. 

Forth from my side a floating fragment quick 

I urged, to rescue him, that life with him 

Might linger, tho' the salt sea-wreaths 

Should couch my dreamless rest. Else he. 

Unpractised in the swimmer's stroke, had fallen 

In that unequal strife with th' swollen pride 

And turbulence of the sea, so fierce again 

For championship where it so oft had won. 

Drifting amid another ocean, vast 

And dread and strown with mournful wrecks, 

(The sea of visionary theories, 

Of unbelief, the blind and proud,) here he. 

Guided and warned by me, poor instrument. 

Was rescued, and to harbor safely brought 

In the glad, peaceful anchorage of faith : 

And this he will explain. Forth from the snare 

And labyrinths of priestly artifice, quite clear 

From its delusions too, I trust, 'tis mine 

(May gracious Heaven be blest !) to lead him forth. 

Enamored of a soft and dewy shade 

In a wide garden's heart, unto the spells 

Of slumber he late yielded. Then drew near. 

With stealthy tread, the assassin all disguised ; 

Glittered above his head the dagger raised. 

Swift rushed I forward, and that lifted arm 

Bereft with mighty struggles of its steel. 

In the confusion of that strife there fell 

A key and letter in the dust : he fled, 

(The foiled assassin) and was lost in shade. 



500 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL 



_ft_ 



Mature conspiracy is well revealed 

In that epistle : and as place and wealth 

Rather than high and noble ends attract 

Their leaders and their head, already Power 

Is roused to action to enwrap their dreams 

With the chill cloud of dark defeat 

And lay their mounting hopes in sullen shame. 

List ! the assassin base stands here to-night : 

Behold him in Sebastian ! Speak kind words 

Which may the judgment on Sabino blunt. 

Sebastian. 

Thou liest basely ! wretch, well mayst thou feign 
A weakness now ; whose courage would not fail 
When falsehoods were attempted like to thine ? 
Friends ! this is base deceit, or error gross. 
Believe him not : he may be mad ! 

CORINN^US. 

Read on, good Sir : and you will find disclosed 
Still further proof of villainy, a scheme 
Of blackest infamy, — to poison all ! 

Sebastian {in hot impetuosity.) 
Thou hateful miscreant, thou shalt rue thy words. 

{Draws a dagger and thrusts at CoRiNNiEUS, who, rallying ^ 
'parries the blow ; they fight.) 



the guests of brazil. 501 

Festino. 

Cease ! combatants, desist ! shame that you, 
father ! shouldst forget thy sacred rank. 
And, in the heat of passion, here profane 
This hospitable roof ! 

EusTiN {^seizing the Priest by the right arm.) 

I now believe thee base 
And overflowing with a deep deceit. 

(CoRlNN^US sinks again to his couch, as if wounded afresh.) 

Sebastian. 

Unhand me, instantly ! or hell's black shades 
May gulf thy spirit at a breath ! 

{Jl loud knocking : Enter Officer and three soldiers ; others 

vnthout.) 

Officer. 

Senor, 
Is this Sebastian ? I arrest the man 
For treason ; soldiers ! hold him fast ! 

Sebastian {loith a loud voice.) 

Ho ! comrades ! quick ! haste, comrades, all ! 

{Enter several armed Conspirators impetuously, and by 
another entrance.) 

Haste, all, we are betrayed ! quick, strike ! 
'Tis victory, or the dungeon's gloom and death ! 



502 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

{To the Soldiers.) 

Withdraw your hands this instant ! do you dare 
Thus rudely seize an hallowed priest ? if charged 
With misdemeanors, to the sacred powers 
Which rule in Zion, I'm responsible. 

Festino {to the Officer.) 

May I inquire, " has the Imperial Court 
Dispatched this warrant." 

Officer. 

Yea ! good Sir ; 
Yea ! and enjoined the sternest strictness ; chains 
And even death should he resist. 

Attempt 
At murder and high treason are the crimes 
With which he now stands charged ; the danger frowns : 
This rankling, civil virus claims the knife. 

Sebastian. 

Shout loud our battle cry ! What ! comrades. 
Cower ye at sight of these 1 for life and truth, 
As ye have sworn, strike, all, and fear them not ! • 

Officer {To Seb.) 
Thou traitor ! dost thou dare ! 

{^Two of the Conspirators discharge their pistols ; others draw 

swords.) 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 503 



Sebastian. 

Ho ! all ! rush in ; 
For life and victory and glory strike ! 

{Drums and trumpets without; and cries of ''to arms! to 

arms /") 

Officer. 
What ! darest thou still ? then die at once ! 

{To Soldiers.) 
Aim well and fire ! 

(Soldiers /re; Sebastian /a//^.) 

{To Soldiers ivithout.) 

Now all advance ! seize fast 
These traitors who surround their chief ! 

{In alarm, exeunt Conspirators, save one.) 

{Enter Soldiers and seize the remaining Conspirator ere he 
effects his escape and pursue the others.) 

Chain them in dungeons, and let none escape : 
And thou, lieutenant, march forth quick to close 
In deadly conflict with their force without. 

{Exit Lieut.) 

Festino. 
A fearful hour is this ! 

(JVbwe of firing and confusion without.) 



504 THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 

CoEINNtEUS. 

Good Sir, I beg 
That what is further written in that sheet 
May claim attention now. 

EuSTiN {dropping the letter.) 

Read thou ; 
I cannot ; self-accused and horrified 
By these developments ; my strength is gone. 

{Turning aside.) 

« 

And can it be ! I've been indeed deceived ! 

Festino {picking up the letter, proceeds.) 

Beware of those three flagons mark'd for the feast, 
The private banquet which you purpose soon. 
Test well their contents : 'mid that mellow glow 
A subtle poison lurks : Thus are ye snatched 
From wretched doom 'mid agony and flame. 
As unto one of aspirations pure, a path 
Of honorable advancement now is oped, 
Thro' influence of mine, for Bustin. Sad 
Might else have been his lot, e'en had he 'scaped 
The stealthy and malignant snare here laid. 

(CORINNiBUS reclines more arid more, as ij' languishing.) 

Eustin, my well-beloved friend, for whom 
My love unto Amina I have quenched. 
Have my dyed locks and altered costume foiled 
Your searching and suspecting glance ? Behold 



THE GUESTS OP BRAZIL. 505 

In CORINN.EUS, now from whom the gift 

Most strange and precious may, perhapt*, have fled 

To its Great Giver, as the mounting flames 

From fires the Sun has kindled, spring aloft 

Towards their bright source, — in Corinna?us see 

Your former friend, the " Frederick " of the days 

Of early love and happiness. Forgive, 

As ye do hope forgiveness at Heaven's seat, 

Whate'er of wrong, tho' dark indeed it be, 

Which blots the chronicles of his life ; pray, yield ; 

And dwelling on the vengeance in that grief 

And sleepless energy of deep remorse 

Which fiercely followed and have nigh consumed, — 

O'erlook his errors and accept, tho' faint, 

His services of late in your behalf. 

Not long, I fear, it may be his to drink 

The accents of forgiveness, if relief delays. 

Festino. 
Thus ends his letter ; noble 'tis, in truth. 

(EuSTiN springs up and Jties to the .side o/'CoRiNN^US.) 

But, see ! he languishes ! he faints, he sinks ! 
Haste quick, Gonsalvo ! bring the well-known skill 
Of our esteemed Roupinho. 

(Exit Gonsalvo.) 
See ! the gush 
Of life's mysterious current stains his side ! 
What ! wounded ? can it be ? 
33 



506 THE GUESTS OF BRAZIL. 

EUSTIN. 

speak ! speak ! apeak ! 
Tho' but one word ! all love you ; yea, all, all ! 

CORINNiEUB. 

{Awaking partially from his swoon for an instant.) 
Still spurns he me ? alas, alas ! and faint 
And sinking ; wounded : where am 1 1 who speaks ? 
Farewell to all, if here ; farewell ! 'tis o'er. 

EUSTIN. 

Loved friend, awake ! Forgive me ; you're forgiven ! 
I've known you not, and wronged you every hour. 
Oh ! oh ! it is too late ! Yon dastard's thrust, 
Or else my murderous steel, hath pierced his soul ! 

{^Leans with loverlike tenderness, hut overpowered by the anguish 
of regret, upon Amina.) 

{They gather nearer, with silent, intense fixedness of gaze and 
look of horror. CoRiNNiEUS dies.) 

Curtain falls. 



NOTES 



Note A. 

I have thought this comparison possibly too like one in Byron : "O night, 
£^nd storm, and darkness, ye," &c. 

' Note B. 

" Fame, the soul's Archangel."— jBuZwer. If he only meant that fame 
was the ruling passion, the figures are not alike. 

Note C. 

The sanguinary spirit of retaliation, though in keeping with unbelief, is, 
of course, deserving of the severest reprehension, under all circumstances. 

" Hail of iron and fire." This expression was suggested by a passage in 
Milton, where he speaks of " chained thunderbolts and hail of iron globes." 
Some two or three figures of no particular note may also have been sug- 
gested. 

Note. — As to the character of Sebastian, the clime and race will apolo- 
gize for his restless and vaulting ambition. History furnishes the instances 
of unscrupulous lust of power in the Roman priesthood and of woful de- 
pravity associated with infidelity. The reader may note illustrations of the 
vice and misery to which unbelief conduct ; and the lessons of the impor- 
tance of sound faith and morals as the bases of free government ; and may 
discern a true picture of Romish imposition. 

The tragedy has received a number of alterations since first written. It 
is absurd to deny that the province of the drama is a noble and legitimate 
department of literature. But the stage, has, alas, been degraded, by 
ministering to corrupt popular tastes. Under proper restrictions and safe- 
guards, and by a high, noble and religious influence, it might be elevated, 
and made subservient to the cause of morality and even of sacred virtue, as 
well as of knowledge, art and literature. 



TO THE ANGEL OF SPIRITUAL BEAUTY. 

Etheeeal Beauty, throned in yon clear star, 
That now, from thy most rich pavilion bright, 
All draperied in gold and crimson light. 
Doth seem to win my soul to soar afar, 
And quit its prison's dull and gloomy bar ; 
To thee I dedicate my song this night, — 
Rejoicing that as yet my spirit's sight 
Beholds thy loveliness that nought doth mar. 
Yet sorrow's in my heart a lingering guest, 
Because my thoughts may now so seldom dwell 
Where the rich lustres from thy wings do rest, 
In poetry's elysium loved so well. 
Would that thy smiles Amina did invest ! 
As sunbeams beautify the lily's bell. 



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